TRANSPORT

A23

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated completion date is for the A23 Warninglid to Handcross road improvements.

Stephen Ladyman: We are currently considering the south-east region's advice on its priorities for major transport schemes including the A23 Handcross to Warninglid road improvements. An announcement is expected later this year.

A23

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the number of accidents on the A23 of a delay to the Handcross to Warninglid improvement scheme.

Stephen Ladyman: We are currently considering the south-east region's advice on their priorities for major transport projects, which includes the A23 Handcross to Warninglid improvement. An announcement is expected later this year. The Highways Agency and its appointed contractor are continuing to develop the scheme to enable the necessary draft orders and Environmental Statement to be published.
	An assessment of the impact of a delay has not been made. However, the three-year average personal injury accident record to the end of 2004 is 15 and the scheme improvement is forecast to reduce this figure to 10.

M6 Toll Road

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to extend the M6 toll road beyond Birmingham; what representations he has received in support of such a proposition; what the timescale involved is; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The Government have no plans to extend the M6 toll, i.e. the road operated by Midlands Expressway Ltd. under concession. However, we have been considering options to provide extra capacity between junctions 11A and 19 of the M6, with a tolled off-line route as one of the options under consideration. The response to our initial consultation was summarised in my written statement of 19 July 2005,  Official Report, columns 74-5WS.
	Since July, the Highways Agency has been engaging with a wide range of representative stakeholder bodies during the development work in order to clarify views on the alternative options for extra capacity in this corridor. A more detailed evaluation will be presented to Ministers shortly.

Motorways

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents have been reported involving stationary vehicles on motorway hard shoulders in each year since 1980, broken down by motorway; and how many people were  (a) injured and  (b) killed in each case

Stephen Ladyman: The number of personal injury road accidents reported to the police involving parked vehicles on motorway hard shoulders and the resulting number of people  (a) injured or  (b) killed, in each year from 1980 to 2004 (the latest year for which figures are available) is given in the table.
	Separate figures for each motorway could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Number of personal injury road accidents, fatalities and injuries involving a vehicle parked on a motorway hard shoulder: 1980-2004 
			   Accidents  Fatalities  Injuries (serious and slight) 
			 1980 94 18 135 
			 1981 96 27 169 
			 1982 94 19 161 
			 1983 88 8 194 
			 1984 92 17 160 
			 1985 116 23 192 
			 1986 126 26 239 
			 1987 120 19 199 
			 1988 107 31 198 
			 1989 104 19 192 
			 1990 108 23 193 
			 1991 84 13 165 
			 1992 84 14 132 
			 1993 82 33 146 
			 1994 72 11 107 
			 1995 88 11 164 
			 1996 61 13 104 
			 1997 68 6 139 
			 1998 86 21 147 
			 1999 59 11 103 
			 2000 85 12 163 
			 2001 66 12 123 
			 2002 66 16 111 
			 2003 52 8 81 
			 2004 67 3 113

Oyster Cards

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contribution he expects his agreement with the Mayor for London on the compatibility of smartcard technology and the Oyster card to make towards the roll out of a national concessionary travel card; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The agreement with the Mayor of London to deliver compatibility between the Oyster card system currently in use in London and the Integrated Transport Smartcard Organisation (ITSO) standard represents an important step towards a national travel card system. There remains much work to be done and the Government are working closely with Transport for London and stakeholders in the transport industry to take forward this agenda. No decision has yet been taken on the implementation of the national bus concessionary fares scheme, announced in the 2006 Budget, although the recent agreement on compatible smartcard technology will be useful if a smartcard option is pursued.

Oyster Cards

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which gated mainline rail stations can be upgraded immediately to accommodate pre-pay Oyster cards; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: We believe that the process of upgrading most of the gated mainline stations to accept Oyster pay as you go will be straightforward. The identification of the precise numbers and timing is not yet available. The technical scoping to enable integrated smartcard schemes, as well as the necessary commercial arrangements, is part of the work that we are currently undertaking with Transport for London and the train operators.

Oyster Cards

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he requires new contracts with train operators to include Sundays in drivers' working weeks.

Derek Twigg: The Department for Transport specifies the minimum pattern of train services and frequencies in new franchise contracts. It does not specify how these are delivered, which is a matter for the Train Operating Companies.

Road Safety

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of tougher penalties for drivers who cause  (a) serious injuries and  (b) fatalities whilst driving under the influence of alcohol.

Stephen Ladyman: The penalties for those who commit alcohol-related driving offences are already very tough, whether or not they result in serious injury or death. For exceeding the legal alcohol limit for drivers, they include up to six months' prison, mandatory disqualification from driving for at least 12 months, and at least three years' disqualification for a second offence in 10 years. For causing death by careless driving when under the influence of alcohol the maximum prison sentence is 14 years, having been raised from 10 years under the Criminal Justice Act 2003. The Government believe that these penalties provide an effective deterrent for the large majority of the motoring public.
	The Road Safety Bill, currently before Parliament, contains several provisions that will tighten up drink driving laws, including an enabling power to extend provisions concerning a mandatory re-take of the driving test to apply to drink drivers.

Transport Direct

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the  (a) efficiency,  (b) effectiveness and  (c) future scope of and proposals for the procurement arrangements of the Transport Direct project.

Stephen Ladyman: As a central Government service the Transport Direct service (http://www.transportdirect.info) is subject to standard Government procurement rules, which aim to ensure efficient and effective procurement.
	Transport Direct is operated on behalf of DfT by Atos Origin, under a Design, Build and Operate contract. This contract was awarded following an open and competitive procurement in 2002. The contract was advertised publicly in the  Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), and over 60 initial expressions of interest were received.
	The initial award was for three years from January 2003, with an option to extend up to 10 years in total. The contract has been formally extended until 31 March 2007, and further extensions will be considered. Any such extensions will be dependent upon re-evaluation of the commercial merits and value for money provided by the contract. Such exercises would be carried out at the appropriate time.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces (Drug Offences)

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 3 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1574W, on drug testing, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the increase in drug use among junior non-commissioned officers and privates between 2002 and 2005; and what steps he plans to take to reduce this;
	(2)  how many people have been dismissed from each of the armed forces for drug offences in each of the past five years, broken down by rank.

Tom Watson: holding answer 11 May 2006
	The Directorate of Army Personnel Strategy was commissioned to examine factors which lead to drug use among soldiers who have tested positive for drugs. Work commenced in April this year and is expected to complete within 12 months. The Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force have no current plans to carry out assessments.
	Information on the number of people who have been dismissed from the services, either as a result of a positive result following a Compulsory Drugs Test, or following a court martial/summary hearing for drug related offences, is as follows.
	
		
			  Service personnel dismissed for drug offences or positive CDT results 
			   2005  2004  2003  2002  2001 
			  Royal Navy  
			 Officers/Cadets 0 0 1 1 0 
			 WO/Senior Rates 0 1 0 3 4 
			 Junior Rates 45 51 58 41 60 
			   
			  Army  
			 Officers/Cadets 1 1 1 1 0 
			 WO/Senior NCOs 1 2 1 0 0 
			 JNCOs/Privates 761 624 571 632 787 
			   
			  Royal Air Force  
			 Officers/Cadets 0 0 0 0 0 
			 WO/Senior NCOs 0 0 0 0 0 
			 JNCOs/Privates 28 27 26 11 22

Arms Trade Treaty

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British defence attachés have raised the international arms trade treaty with their relevant counterparts.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 15 May 2006
	The Government have undertaken extensive lobbying through a wide-ranging network of overseas posts, which includes British defence attachés where appropriate.

Astute Submarine

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is of each fully-equipped Astute submarine.

Adam Ingram: The contract with BAE Systems is for the design and manufacture of three Astute class submarines, the estimated cost of which is £3,492 million.

Consultants

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the companies which were paid consultancy fees by his Department in 2005-06; how much each was paid; and what each of the companies was used to accomplish.

Adam Ingram: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, I can advise my hon. Friend that summaries of the Ministry of Defence expenditure on external assistance, of which consultancy is a part, are available in the Library of the House for the years 1995-96 to 2004-05.
	The figures for 2005-06 will be placed in the Library of the House before the summer recess.
	The Defence Analytical Services Agency also publishes annually details of companies that are paid £5 million or more per year by the MOD.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what opportunities exist for people to work beyond retirement age in his Department.

Tom Watson: The services do not have standard minimum and maximum retirement ages. Personnel may leave their service at various points dependent on the terms of service for the individual's branch or trade, their length of commission or engagement and the operational requirements facing the services at the particular time.
	Where it is thought to be in the interest of the service, officers may be retained beyond their normal retirement date or offered an optional retirement date. Other ranks may be offered continuance to serve beyond their normal retirement date where there is a service requirement.
	The Ministry of Defence's normal retirement age for all civilian grades below the senior civil service (SCS) is 65. Individuals both in and below the SCS wishing to work beyond their normal retirement age can ask to remain in service. Such requests are considered on the grounds of business need; this means that provided the individual's post is not scheduled to be disestablished and there are no surpluses at that grade and location (or within daily travel distance) and subject to the individual's continuing health and efficiency they may remain in service for a given period.

Drones

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of drones in combat zones.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence assesses the effectiveness of uninhabited air vehicles on military operations on a regular basis. Operational analysis and studies are routinely conducted to assess military force structures and equipment capabilities (including uninhabited air vehicles). The Department also captures the lessons from the use of uninhabited air vehicles on operations.
	Collectively, these assessments inform the Department's balance of investment and wider decision-making processes.

Eurofighter

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what air-to-ground missile system the Eurofighter employs; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Integration of air-to-ground missile systems onto RAF Typhoon, including the Storm Shadow cruise missile and the Brimstone air-launched anti-armour weapon, is being considered as part of the Typhoon Future Capability Programme.

Financial Data

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will break down the main estimate Request for Resources 1 non-budget expenditure provision by sub-head in  (a) near cash and  (b) non-cash terms for financial year 2006-07;
	(2)  if he will break down the main estimate Request for Resources  (a) 1,  (b) 2 and  (c) 3 (i) departmental expenditure limit and (ii) annually managed expenditure provision by sub-head in (A) near cash and (B) non-cash terms for financial year 2006-07.

Adam Ingram: A full breakdown of the main estimates into near cash and non cash are shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Ministry of Defence—Breakdown of main estimates 2006-07 
			  TLB/ Estimate type  Main estimates £000 
			  Commander-in-Chief Single RN TLB  
			 DEL near cash 2,101,5 
			 DEL non cash 2,096,8681 
			 Total DEL 4,198,374 
			 AME near cash 0 
			 AME non cash -5,718 
			 Total AME -5,718 
			 Non Budget near cash 0 
			 Non Budget non cash 0 
			 Total Non Budget 0 
			 Total Commander-in-Chief Single RN TLB 4,192,656 
			   
			  General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland  
			 DEL near cash 476,759 
			 DEL non cash 94,615 
			 Total DEL 571,374 
			 AME near cash 0 
			 AME non cash 0 
			 Total AME 0 
			 Non Budget near cash 0 
			 Non Budget non cash 0 
			 Total Non Budget 0 
			 Total General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland 571,374 
			   
			  Commander in Chief Land  
			 DEL near cash 4,358,352 
			 DEL non cash 1,360,226 
			 Total DEL 5,718,578 
			 AME near cash 0 
			 AME non cash 0 
			 Total AME 0 
			 Non Budget near cash 0 
			 Non Budget non cash 0 
			 Total Non Budget 0 
			 Total Commander in Chief Land 5,718,578 
			   
			  Air Officer Commanding In Chief RAF Strike Command  
			 DEL near cash 1,865,712 
			 DEL non cash 1,864,028 
			 Total DEL 3,729,740 
			 AME near cash 0 
			 AME non cash 0 
			 Total AME 0 
			 Non Budget near cash 0 
			 Non Budget non cash 0 
			 Total Non Budget 0 
			 Total Air Officer Commanding In Chief RAF Strike Command 3,729,740 
		
	
	
		
			  Ministry of Defence—Breakdown of Main Estimates 2006-07 
			  TLB/Estimate type  Main estimates £000 
			  Chief of Joint Operations  
			 DEL near cash 383,180 
			 DEL non cash 139,307 
			 Total DEL 522,487 
			 AME near cash 0 
			 AME non cash -4,000 
			 Total AME -4,000 
			 Non Budget near cash 0 
			 Non Budget non cash 0 
			 Total Non Budget 0 
			 Total Chief of Joint Operations 518,487 
			   
			  Chief of Defence Logistics  
			 DEL near cash 4,453,296 
			 DEL non cash 2,853,825 
			 Total DEL 7,307,121 
			 AME near cash 0 
			 AME non cash 9,910 
			 Total AME 9,910 
			 Non Budget near cash 0 
			 Non Budget non cash 0 
			 Total Non Budget 0 
			 Total Chief of Defence Logistics 7,317,031 
			   
			  Adjutant General  
			 DEL near cash 1,622,465 
			 DEL non cash 160,459 
			 Total DEL 1,782,924 
			 AME near cash 0 
			 AME non cash 0 
			 Total AME 0 
			 Non Budget near cash 9,152 
			 Non Budget non cash 0 
			 Total Non Budget 9,152 
			 Total Adjutant General 1,792,076 
			   
			  Chief RAF Personnel and Training Command  
			 DEL near cash 765,507 
			 DEL non cash 160,959 
			 Total DEL 926,466 
			 AME near cash 0 
			 AME non cash 0 
			 Total AME 0 
			 Non Budget near cash 0 
			 Non Budget non cash 0 
			 Total Non Budget 0 
			 Total Chief RAF Personnel and Training Command 926,466 
		
	
	
		
			  Ministry of Defence—Breakdown of Main Estimates 2006-07 
			  TLB/Estimate type  Main estimates £000 
			  Central  
			 DEL near cash 2,098,460 
			 DEL non cash 1,219,381 
			 Total DEL 3,317,841 
			 AME near cash 0 
			 AME non cash 2,360 
			 Total AME 2,360 
			 Non Budget near cash 578 
			 Non Budget non cash 0 
			 Total Non Budget 578 
			 Total Central 3,320,779 
			   
			  Defence Estates  
			 DEL near cash 902,507 
			 DEL non cash -751 
			 Total DEL 901,756 
			 AME near cash 0 
			 AME non cash 0 
			 Total AME 0 
			 Non Budget near cash 2,700 
			 Non Budget non cash 0 
			 Total Non Budget 2,700 
			 Total Defence Estates 904,456 
			   
			  Defence Procurement Agency  
			 DEL near cash 1,574,061 
			 DEL non cash 710,447 
			 Total DEL 2,284,508 
			 AME near cash 0 
			 AME non cash 175,505 
			 Total AME 175,505 
			 Non Budget near cash 0 
			 Non Budget non cash 0 
			 Total Non Budget 0 
			 Total Defence Procurement Agency 2,460,013 
			   
			  Corporate Science and Technology  
			 DEL near cash 538,452 
			 DEL non cash -4,252 
			 Total DEL 534,200 
			 AME near cash 0 
			 AME non cash 0 
			 Total AME 0 
			 Non Budget near cash 0 
			 Non Budget non cash 0 
			 Total Non Budget 0 
			 Total Corporate Science and Technology 534,200 
		
	
	
		
			  Ministry of Defence—Breakdown of Main Estimates 2006-07 
			  TLB/Estimate type  Main estimates £000 
			  Conflict Prevention RFR2  
			 DEL near cash 47,326 
			 DEL non cash 0 
			 Total DEL 47,326 
			 AME near cash 0 
			 AME non cash 0 
			 Total AME 0 
			 Non Budget near cash 0 
			 Non Budget non cash 0 
			 Total Non Budget 0 
			 Total Conflict Prevention RFR2 47,326 
			   
			  War Pensions and Benefits RFR3  
			 DEL near cash 0 
			 DEL non cash 0 
			 Total DEL 0 
			 AME near cash -648 
			 AME non cash 1,030,599 
			 Total AME 1,029,951 
			 Non Budget near cash 0 
			 Non Budget non cash 0 
			 Total Non Budget 0 
			 Total War Pensions and Benefits RFR3 1,029,951 
			   
			 MOD Total 33,063,133 
			  Note:  The Single RN TLB was formed from the merger of Commander-in -Chief Fleet and 2nd Sea Lord/Commander in Chief Naval Home Command TLBs

Fuel Cell Technology

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Department plans  (a) to procure fuel cell technology and  (b) to encourage further research into fuel cell technology for submarines.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has funded work in fuel cell technology, but no decision has yet been taken regarding its specific application.

Haslar Hospital

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has assessed the Aldershot Centre for Health as a model which could be followed at the Royal Hospital Haslar.

Tom Watson: holding answer 15 May 2006
	The future use of the Haslar site is a matter for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight strategic health authority, the local primary care trusts and the Portsmouth hospitals. We will of course continue to be engaged with the local health authorities as they develop their plans for the future of healthcare in South East Hampshire.
	The Ministry of Defence will be assessing options for innovative partnerships for delivery of primary, tier 2 and intermediate care, particularly in the light of NHS developments and future military basing. However, it would be premature to model another facility on the Aldershot Centre for Health until the functional success of the project has been evaluated and any lessons have been identified.

Joint Strike Fighter

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the variants of the F35 which the UK is involved with; and how many of each the Government is planning to order.

Adam Ingram: As a result of the United Kingdom's contribution to the System Development and Demonstration Phase, the UK is involved with all three variants of the F35 programme. These are the conventional take-off and landing, short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) and the Carrier variants. The STOVL variant was selected in 2001 as the optimum solution to meet the UK requirements, of which variant the UK is intending to buy up to 150.

Meteorological Office

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations in the UK for which the Meteorological Office can readily supply information regarding average daily temperatures allowing for a wind chill factor; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Watson: The Met Office records data in various ways. The stations listed record hourly temperature and hourly wind speed observations. From the temperature observations, the average daily temperature can be calculated. The wind speed observations can then be used to calculate the apparent temperature felt on exposed skin, known as wind chill.
	 UK Locations
	Aberdaron
	Aberporth
	Aboyne No. 2
	Albemarle
	Aldergrove
	Altnaharra No. 2
	Andrewsfield
	Aultbea No. 2
	Aviemore
	Ballykelly
	Ballypatrick Forest
	Baltasound No. 2
	Barra
	Bedford
	Benson
	Bingley No.2
	Boscombedown
	Boulmer
	Bridlington MRSC
	Brize Norton
	Camborne
	Capelcurig No. 3
	Cardiff Weather Centre
	Cardinham, Bodmin
	Carlisle
	Castlederg
	Charlwood
	Charterhall
	Chivenor
	Church Fenton
	Church Lawford
	Coleshill
	Coningsby
	Cottesmore
	Cranwell
	Crosby
	Culdrose
	Dishforth Airfield
	Donna Nook No. 2
	Drumalbin
	Dundrennan
	Dunkeswell Aerodrome
	Dyce
	Edinburgh, Gogarbank
	Emley Moor
	Eskdalemuir
	Fair Isle
	Filton
	Fylingdales
	Glasgow, Bishopton
	Glenanne No. 2
	Gravesend, Broadness
	Hawarden Airport
	Heathrow
	Hereford, Credenhill
	Herstmonceux, West End
	High Wycombe, HQSTC
	Holbeach No. 2
	Hurn
	Inverbervie No. 2
	Islay: Port Ellen
	Isle of Portland
	Kenley Airfield
	Keswick
	Kinloss
	Kirkwall
	Lake VYRNWY No. 2
	Langdonbay
	Larkhill
	Leconfield
	Leek, Thorncliffe
	Leeming
	Lerwick
	Leuchars
	Linton on Ouse
	Liscombe
	Little Rissington
	Loch Glascarnoch
	Loftus
	Lossiemouth
	Lough Fea
	Lyneham
	Machrihanish
	Manston
	Marham
	Middle Wallop
	Milford Haven Conservancy Board
	Mumbles Head
	Northolt
	Nottingham, Watnall
	Odiham
	Pembrey Sands
	Pershore
	Plymouth, Mountbatten
	Portglenone
	Prestwick, Gannet
	Redesdale Camp
	Rhyl No. 2
	Ronaldsway
	Rosehearty
	Saughall
	Scampton
	Scilly: St. Mary's Airport
	Sennybridge No. 2
	Shap
	Shawbury
	Shobdon Airfield
	Shoeburyness, Landwick
	Shoreham Airport
	Skye: Lusa
	Solent
	South Farnborough
	South Uist Range
	Spadeadam No. 2
	Stangelo
	St. Athan
	St. Bees Head No. 2
	St. Mawgan
	Stornoway Airport
	Strathallan Airfield
	Tain Range
	Thorney Island
	Tiree
	Topcliffe
	Trawsgoed
	Tulloch Bridge
	Valley
	Waddington
	Wainfleet No. 2
	Walney Island
	Warcop Range
	Wattisham
	West Freugh
	Weybourne
	Wick Airport
	Wight: St. Catherines Point
	Wittering
	Woodford
	Yeovilton
	Bramham
	Coventry, Coundon
	Derrylin
	Dunstaffnage
	Durham
	East Malling
	Katesbridge
	Killowen
	Kinbrace, Hatchery
	Monks Wood
	North Wyke
	Point of Ayre
	Preston Wynne
	Salsburgh
	Sutton Bonington
	Wisley
	Aonach Mor
	Bealach Na Ba No. 2
	Cairngorm Summit
	Cairnwell
	Glen Ogle
	Great Dun Fell No. 2

Military Personnel

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military personnel have died in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: During the five-year period 2001-05, 34 service personnel died in Northern Ireland who were members of the regular UK armed forces or full-time members of the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment. Details on annual deaths incurred are listed in the following table.
	
		
			   All deaths  Regular UK armed forces  Home service( 1)  battalions of the Royal Irish regiment 
			 2001 6 5 1 
			 2002 6 2 4 
			 2003 9 6 3 
			 2004 8 5 3 
			 2005 5 3 2 
			 Total 34 21 13 
			 (1) Full-time members only.

Military Spending

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on the  (a) Army,  (b) Royal Air Force and  (c) Royal Navy in (i) cash and (ii) real terms in each year since 1997.

Adam Ingram: Defence spending is not split by Service. Instead, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) operates a system of delegated authority to Top Level Budget (TLB) holders. Some are single Service but several, for example, the Defence Procurement Agency, the Defence Logistics Organisation and the Chief of Joint Operations support all three Services and their budgets are not broken down by Service.
	Information on spending by TLBs can be found in the Government's Expenditure Plans (GEP) 2005-06 to 2007-08 MOD (Cmd6532) a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. This sets out past expenditure and future spending plans. It provides breakdowns of consumption by activity area. This includes the single Service Top Level Budget holders, and in the case of the RAF this shows the Commander-in-Chief Strike and the Commander-in-Chief Personnel and Training Command. More recently, the MOD has published the 2004-05 Annual Report and Accounts, which provides the same breakdown. Figures for 2005-06 will be published in our Annual Report and Accounts, which is planned for publication before the summer recess.

Nuclear Weapons Testing

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what comparative assessment he has made of the National Radiological Protection Board research papers of 1988 and 1993 on the incidence of cancer among men from the UK who participated in the nuclear weapon test programmes.

Tom Watson: Assessment of the 1988 report, which examined cancer incidence up to the end of 1983, led to the conclusion that presence at the UK atmospheric nuclear test sites had increased the risk of multiple myeloma and leukaemia (other than chronic lymphatic leukaemia) compared with controls selected from members of the armed forces who had not been present at the tests. This was because the level of these cancers among the control group was lower than would be expected for the general population rather than because it was higher for those who took part in the tests. These findings did not correlate with the risk of exposure from ionising radiation; rather, levels in the controls were inexplicably low. The 1993 analysis extended follow up to the end of 1990. Rates of multiple myeloma and the relevant leukaemias in the additional follow-up years were slightly lower in test participants compared with controls, whose rates were as in the general population. Because the differential increase in incidence of the relevant leukaemias mirrors the likely pattern of radiation-induced leukaemias, it was accepted that a possible slight risk of lymphatic leukaemia (other than chronic leukaemia) in the first 25 years after participation could not be ruled out. The small hazard of multiple myeloma in the 1988 report was not found in 1993 and was considered a chance finding. Both the 1988 and 1993 studies found that presence at the sites had no detectable effect on the risk of developing any other malignancy. A further study, published in 2003, also confirmed these findings.

Paveway IV Missile

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Paveway IV missile will enter service; and which aircraft will be able to use it.

Adam Ingram: Paveway IV was selected as the solution to the requirement (SR(A) 1248) for an all-weather precision guided bombing capability and will enter service on Harrier GR9/9A in mid 2007. The intention is that Paveway IV will also be integrated onto Tornado GR4/4A and Typhoon aircraft.

Regimental Mascots

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 7 May 2006, to question 50244, on regimental mascots, when he will reply to the hon. Member for Pendle on the matter.

Adam Ingram: I replied to my hon. Friend on 15 May 2006.

Service Personnel (Commendation)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what means of recognition are available for the commendation of those serving in  (a) Iraq and  (b) Afghanistan; and what means of recognition is available for those (i) injured and (ii) killed in the line of duty in those operations.

Tom Watson: The full range of gallantry and meritorious service awards is available for those serving on operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere and may be awarded to those injured or killed while on operations. The only exception is that Orders cannot be conferred posthumously, for example a serviceman killed on operations cannot be appointed to the Order of the British Empire.
	Service in Iraq and Afghanistan is also specifically recognised by the award of the Iraq Medal and the Operational Service Medal "Afghanistan" respectively. Should qualifying service be brought to an end before the completion of the specified qualifying period on account of death, wounding or other disability due to operational service, the reduced period shall be sufficient qualification for the award of the medal.
	The Government-supported Armed Forces Memorial, which is to be the national memorial dedicated to members of the UK armed forces killed on duty or by terrorist action since the Second World War, will be constructed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and will record the names of almost 16,000 men and women. The trustees hope that construction will commence this summer and plan to unveil the Armed Forces Memorial in October 2007.
	Rolls of Honour similar to those kept by the Royal Air Force in the Church of St. Clement Danes in London, which record the names of those who have died while serving in the UK armed forces, will be created for the Royal Navy and for the Army and will be kept in the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and the Royal Hospital Chelsea respectively. A memorial, without names, in Westminster Abbey dedicated to members of the armed forces killed in conflict is also planned.

Tornado Fleet

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long the  (a) Tornado GR and  (b) Tornado F3 will remain in service.

Adam Ingram: On current plans, the Tornado GR4 will continue to be operated by the RAF until well into the 2020s, and the Tornado F3 will be retired from service around the end of this decade.

Type 45 Destroyers

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 May 2006, Question 67918, on Type 45 Destroyers, what assessment the naval staff has made of whether  (a) an amphibious task group and  (b) a carrier task group can be defended by fewer than two such destroyers.

Adam Ingram: As I stated in my answer of 10 May 2006,  Official Report, column 290W, it is the capability provided by the ships, rather than their numbers, that determine the level of protection provided.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Abortion Inquiry

David Amess: To ask the Leader of the House if he will establish a joint House of Commons and House of Lords inquiry into abortion; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The Government have no plans to do so.

Government Bills

David Amess: To ask the Leader of the House what considerations underlie a decision on into which House of Parliament a Government Bill is introduced; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: A decision on the appropriate House of introduction is taken according to the circumstances of each Bill. Factors to be taken into account will include the subject matter of the bill and the amount and the nature of the business currently before each House.
	More bills, particularly those giving effect to the Government's major policy priorities, will generally be first introduced into the Commons rather than the Lords. Consolidated Fund and Finance Bills, and most other Bills primarily financial in nature, are introduced into the Commons. It is the practice for Consolidation Bills, Law Commission and statute law repeal bills to be introduced into the Lords.

Members (House of Commons)

David Amess: To ask the Leader of the House what the cost was per hon. Member in  (a) 2004-05 and  (b) each of the previous four years; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: I have taken this question to be referring to the total costs of the House of Commons per hon. Member.
	Direct costs of the House of Commons are the sum of the Estimates for House of Commons: Administration and House of Commons: Members, though a range of the costs within the Administration Estimate do not relate solely to Members.
	
		
			  Financial year  Total cost( 1)  (£ million)  Total per Member (659) 
			 2004-05 331.4 0.50 
			 2003-04 312.1 0.47 
			 2002-03 308.5 0.47 
			 2001-02 285.6 0.43 
			 2000-01 308.7 0.47 
			 (1) In accordance with the principles on which the accounts are prepared, the information is in resource rather than cash terms.

Members (House of Commons)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Leader of the House how many hon. Members re-elected in 2005 have  (a) had their information technology equipment (i) entirely and (ii) partially renewed and  (b) not had their information technology renewed; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Of the 646 Members elected in June 2005, 122 were new Members and four have now been or are subject to by-elections. This leaves 520 Members who were re-elected in 2005 who are included in the project to refresh their equipment.
	As of 15 May, of the 520 Members, 161 Members have received all of their equipment. For a further 239 Members, the refresh is in progress (i.e. Members have been surveyed, orders placed or installations booked) and for 37 of these the refresh is partially complete. Some 120 Members have yet to submit their order forms. The refresh project is being undertaken in phases, and all Members will have been given an opportunity to refresh their equipment before the summer recess, providing forms are returned and survey and installation dates are agreed as per the guidance issued to Members.

Members (House of Commons)

Graham Allen: To ask the Leader of the House what incentives exist for hon. Members to take less than the full first-class fare for rail tickets to and from their constituencies.

Jack Straw: Under the terms of the Resolutions of the House of 10 April 1924 and 4 March 1980, Members are reimbursed for the cost of all travel within the UK on parliamentary business. It is for hon. Members to decide whether they travel first or standard class on any journey. There are no limits on the number of journeys that an hon. Member can make on parliamentary business.
	Members may also claim travel allowances for their spouses, civil partners and children. This is limited by Resolution of the House to 15 return journeys per year and is not dependent on the ticket purchased.
	The current arrangements are straightforward to administer and well understood by Members, and they provide choice in respect of the class of travel. Changes to the rules on travel are considered by the Advisory Panel on Members' Allowances, which can offer advice to the Members Estimate Committee.

Petitions

David Amess: To ask the Leader of the House how many petitions were presented in Session  (a) 2003-04 and  (b) 2004-05; how many have been presented in 2005-06; and on how many occasions the responsible Department declined to make any observations.

Jack Straw: Petitions statistics for past Sessions are published in the annual Sessional Returns. The following information for 2003-04 and 2004-05 is reproduced from this source. Information for 2005-06 to date has been added.
	
		
			  Session  Petitions presented  Observations tabled  Remainder 
			 2003-04 128 82 46 
			 2004-05 51 38 13 
			 2005-06(1) 212 145 (2)67 
			 (1 )To 9 May 2006.  (2 )Departments have confirmed that observations will not be tabled in respect of 19 petitions. 48 petitions are still outstanding.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Postage Costs

Andrew Dismore: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what the postage costs were for each Department of the House in each of the last three years; what percentage of  (a) postal costs and  (b) quantity of post was (i) first class and (ii) second class for each Department; what the Commission's policy is on when first or second class post should be used; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: Prior to April 2006 all official mail posted from the House of Commons was sent under a general Speaker's frank; a breakdown of the postage costs by departments of the House is therefore not available.
	Postage costs for the House broken down between first and second class in each of the last two financial years are given below. There are no reliable figures for financial year 2003-04, but it is estimated that the figures for that year would have been broadly similar.
	
		
			   2004-05  2005-06 
			   £  Percentage  £  Percentage 
			 Total of which 129,960 — 138,750 — 
			 1(st) Class 127,105 97.8 134,206 96.7 
			 2(nd) Class 2,855 2.2 4,545 3.3 
		
	
	From April 2006, identifiers have been introduced on the frank to allow departmental expenditure to be monitored. Much non-urgent departmental correspondence, which used to be sent by second class mail, is now conducted by email. The information provided will be used to encourage greater use of second class postage for appropriate items.

Security Passes

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many security passes have been issued which give access to the Palace of Westminster and its associated buildings, broken down by category; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: A paper setting out the number of currently valid security passes giving access to the Parliamentary estate, broken down by category, has been placed in the Library of the House.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Asiatic Languages

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many pupils have taken  (a) GCSE and  (b) A-level examinations in Asiatic languages in each year since 1994;
	(2)  how many  (a) schools and  (b) colleges offer (i) GCSE and (ii) A-level qualifications in Asiatic languages.

Jim Knight: The information requested can be found in the following tables.
	
		
			  GCSE full course entries( 1)  in Asiatic languages( 2) , of 15 year old pupils( 3)  in all schools, 1994-2005( 4) 
			   Number of entries 
			 2005 15,046 
			 2004 15,372 
			 2003 15,958 
			 2002 15,333 
			 2001 15,083 
			 2000 14,460 
			 1999 14,117 
			 1998 13,444 
			 1997 13,356 
			 1996 13,068 
			 1995 11,844 
			 1994 10,798 
			 (1) For each subject only one attempt is counted, that which achieved the highest grade.  (2) The definition of Asiatic languages used here includes: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Hindi, Japanese, Modern Hebrew, Punjabi, Turkish, Urdu and Persian.  (3) Age at start of academic year i.e. 31 August.  (4) Includes attempts by these pupils in previous academic years. 
		
	
	
		
			  GCE A-level entries in Asiatic languages( 1) , of 16-18 year olds( 2) ,1994-2005 
			   Number of entries 
			 2005 3,088 
			 2004 2,970 
			 2003 2,714 
			 2002 2,538 
			 2001 2,146 
			 2000 2,251 
			 1999 2,164 
			 1998 2,110 
			 1997 2,153 
			 1996 2,188 
			 1995 1,878 
			 1994 1,637 
			 (1) The definition of Asiatic languages used here includes: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Hindi, Japanese, Modern Hebrew, Punjabi, Turkish, Urdu and Persian.  (2) Age at the start of the academic year i.e. 31 August. 
		
	
	Information is not collected on the subjects offered by schools and colleges. However, it is possible to provide figures on the number of schools where at least one pupil has been entered for a particular subject and these are given as follows:
	 (a) The number of schools where at least one 15 year old pupil was entered for a GCSE full course in an Asiatic language in 2005 was 1,706;
	 (b) The number of schools/colleges where at least one student was entered for a GCE A-level in an Asiatic language in 2005 was 789.

Asiatic Languages

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students studied asiatic languages at  (a) university and  (b) colleges of higher education in each year since 1994.

Bill Rammell: The available information is given in the following tables:
	
		
			  Enrolments to Asiatic studies( 1)  at English HE institutions, 1994/95 to 2001/02 
			   1994/5  1995/6  1996/7  1997/8  1998/9  1999/0  2000/1  2001/2 
			  Pre-92 universities 
			 Postgraduate 250 285 260 285 315 320 270 325 
			 Undergraduate 680 275 895 900 860 870 825 955 
			 Total 930 1,165 1,155 1,185 1,175 1,195 1,095 1,285 
			  Post-92 universities 
			 Postgraduate 15 10 15 15 10 — 5 30 
			 Undergraduate 450 485 340 375 350 250 220 285 
			 Total 465 495 445 385 360 250 225 315 
			  Other HE institutions 
			 Postgraduate — — — — — — — — 
			 Undergraduate 25 35 40 30 15 10 5 — 
			 Total 25 35 40 30 15 10 10 — 
			  Total 
			 Postgraduate 265 300 275 300 325 325 275 360 
			 Undergraduate 1,155 1,400 1,360 1,305 1,220 1,130 1,050 1,240 
			 Total 1,420 1,700 1,640 1,605 1,545 1,455 1,325 1,600 
			 — denotes a figure of less than 3 (1) For 1994/5 to 2001/2, 'Asiatic studies' includes 'Chinese studies', 'Japanese studies' and 'Other Asian studies' but excludes those coded as 'Others in Eastern, Asiatic, African, American and Australasian languages, literature and related subjects'.   Note:  Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December and are rounded to the nearest 5.  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record. 
		
	
	
		
			  Enrolments to Asiatic studies( 1)  at English HE institutions, 2002/03( 2)  to 2004/05 
			   2002/3  2003/4  2004/5 
			  Pre-92 HE institutions
			 Postgraduate 460 530 520 
			 Undergraduate 1,320 1,370 1,470 
			 Total 1,780 1,900 1,990 
			  Post-92 HE institutions
			 Postgraduate 80 40 5 
			 Undergraduate 495 520 695 
			 Total 575 560 700 
			  Other HE institutions
			 Postgraduate — — — 
			 Undergraduate 5 — — 
			 Total 5 — — 
			  All HE institutions
			 Postgraduate 540 570 525 
			 Undergraduate 1,820 1,890 2,165 
			 Total 2,360 2,460 2,690 
			 — denotes a figure of less than 3 (1) For 2002/3 onwards, 'Asiatic studies' includes 'Chinese studies', 'Japanese studies', 'South Asian studies' and 'Other Asian studies' but exclude those coded as 'Others in Eastern, Asiatic, African, American and Australasian languages, literature and related subjects'.  (2) For 2002/3 onwards, the Joint Academic Coding Scheme (JACS) replaced HESACODE as the coding frame used to identify subject of study. In addition to the coding change, enrolments for 2002/3 onwards are apportioned between all subjects studied whereas figures for 2001/2 and earlier are based upon a headcount of major subject of study. Hence the two sets of figures are not comparable.   Note:  Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December and are rounded to the nearest 5.  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record.

Pupil Statistics (Coventry, South)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of children  (a) are in receipt of free school meals,  (b) have special educational needs and  (c) are from ethnic minority families in Coventry, South.

Jim Knight: The information requested is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools( 1) : school meal arrangements( 2) . Coventry, South parliamentary constituency, January 2006 (provisional) 
			  Maintained nursery and primary  Maintained secondary 
			  Number on roll  Number of pupils taking free school meals  Percentage taking free school meals  Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals  Percentage known to be eligible for free school meals  Number on roll  Number of pupils taking free school meals  Percentage taking free school meals  Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals  Percentage known to be eligible for free school meals 
			 7,851 1,460 18.6 1,772 22.6 7,337 1,036 14.1 1,324 18.0 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed.  (2) Includes dually registered and boarding pupils.   Source:  Annual Schools' Census 
		
	
	
		
			  Maintained primary and secondary schools( 1) : number of pupils with special educational needs. Coventry, South parliamentary constituency, January 2006 (provisional). 
			  Maintained primary  Maintained secondary 
			  Total pupils  Pupils with statements  Percentage( 2)  SEN pupils without statements( 3)  Percentage( 4)  Total pupils  Pupils with statements  Percentage( 2)  SEN pupils without statements( 3)  Percentage( 4) 
			 7,608 71 0.9 1,201 15.8 7,337 175 2.4 1,491 20.3 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed.  (2) Number of pupils with statements of SEN expressed as a percentage of total number of pupils. Excludes dually registered pupils.  (3) Includes pupils at school action and school action plus.  (4) Number of SEN pupils without statement expressed as a percentage of total number of pupils. Excludes dually registered pupils.   Source:  Annual Schools Census 
		
	
	
		
			  Maintained primary and secondary schools( 1) : number and percentage of minority ethnic pupils( 2) . Coventry, South parliamentary constituency, January 2006 (provisional) 
			  Maintained primary  Maintained secondary 
			  Number of minority ethnic pupils  Percentage of minority ethnic pupils( 3)  Number of minority ethnic pupils  Percentage of minority ethnic pupils( 3) 
			 1,746 29.1 2,157 29.4 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed.  (2) Pupils of compulsory school age and above were classified according to ethnic group. Excludes dually registered pupils.  (3) Those pupils who have been classified according to their ethnic group and are other than white British expressed as a percentage of the number of pupils of compulsory school age and above.   Source:  Annual Schools Census

Education and Inspections Bill

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent representations he has received on the Education and Inspections Bill.

Jim Knight: We continue to receive representations regarding the Education and Inspections Bill from a wide range of different people and organisations. We are engaged in ongoing work with our key stakeholders as the Bill progresses through Parliament.

Education and Inspections Bill

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what targets he plans to set for the educational achievement of children attending the special schools proposed in the Education and Inspections Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Education and Inspections Bill provides that where new or replacement special schools are needed, they should be set up under the provisions in Clauses 7 to 9. Clause 10 also allows non-maintained and independent special schools to publish proposals to enter the maintained sector.
	The Education (School Performance Targets) (England) Regulations 2004 require all special schools to set appropriate targets for improving pupil performance in the same way as mainstream primary and secondary schools, taking account of the differential performance of pupils with Special Educational Needs.
	Targets must be set for pupil attainment in the final year of Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3, and in the last year of compulsory schooling. Where pupil performance is expected to be below the national curriculum levels, special schools can set zero targets. However, governing bodies must set additional appropriate targets for such pupils using the P scales or other performance measures to improve the contribution schools make to the learning of pupils with Special Educational Needs.
	The Government remain committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background or any special educational need they might have, gets the education they need to enable them to fulfil their potential.

E-learning

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to ensure that the e-learning strategy outlined in the paper, "Harnessing Technology: Transforming learning and children's services"  (a) is kept up to date and  (b) makes use of the latest information technology, with particular reference to high-speed mobile communications; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: holding answer 12 May 2006
	The e-strategy is being delivered through a number of themes:
	Strategic Technologies - getting the right technology deployed cost-effectively.
	E-Maturity - assessing the maturity and effectiveness of our system in use of the technology.
	Personalised Content - harnessing multimedia resources to meet the needs and learning styles of users.
	Knowledge Architecture - joining up information and identity management across the system and making it learner-centred.
	The Department established a technology group in October 2005 to implement the e-strategy across the education and children's services sectors. The Department is supported in this role by the British Educational Communication and Technology Agency (Becta), our key NDPB partner in the delivery of the e-strategy.
	The e-strategy is informed by independent research. The Becta Review 2006 (published 28 April) is an assessment of the state of technology in education based on the most recent research, evaluation and survey reports, most of which are produced by independent academic institutions or commissioned or managed by Becta itself. It presents the latest findings and provides a commentary and assessment of what the findings might mean for policy and practice. The review offers assessment of progress, where it can be identified, and highlights issues and challenges that may affect further change in the system. It has identified that mobile technologies are set to play an increasingly important role, with personal ownership of technologies such as laptops, PDAs and mobile phones on the rise in schools.

Independent Children's Homes

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research the Commission for Social Care Inspection has carried out in the last three years into the effects of clustering of independent children's homes.

Parmjit Dhanda: I understand from the chair of the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) that the commission has not carried out any research into the effects of clustering of independent children's homes in the last three years.

Looked-after Children

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many looked-after children there were in each year since 2000, broken down by  (a) sex and  (b) ethnic group.

Parmjit Dhanda: The number of looked-after children by gender is provided in Table A of the Department's Statistical Volume 1 entitled "Children looked after by Local Authorities Year Ending 31 March 2005" which can be accessed on:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/VOL/v000646/index.shtml.
	The number of looked after children by ethnicity is provided in the following tables.
	
		
			  Children looked after in England at 31 March by ethnic origin, 2001-05( 1,2,3) 
			  Number 
			   2001( 4)  2002( 4)  2003( 4)  2004( 5)  2005( 5) 
			 All Children(1) 58,900 59,700 60,800 61,100 60,900 
			 White 48,900 49,100 49,500 48,800 48,100 
			 Mixed 4,400 4,700 5,000 5,000 5,000 
			 Asian or Asian British 1,100 1,200 1,300 1,500 1,800 
			 Black or Black British 3,700 4,000 4,200 4,900 4,900 
			 Other ethnic groups 820 800 870 990 1,100 
			 (1) Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements.  (2) Historical data may differ from older publications. This is mainly due to the implementation of amendments and corrections sent by some local authorities after the publication date of previous materials.  (3 )Information on ethnicity started to be collected in 2001.  (4 )Figures are taken from the CLA100 return.  (5) Figures are taken from the SSDA903 return. 
		
	
	
		
			  Children looked after in England at 31 March by ethnic origin, 2001-05( 1,2,3) 
			  Percentage 
			   2001( 4)  2002( 4)  2003( 4)  2004( 5)  2005( 5) 
			 All Children(1) 100 100 100 100 100 
			 White 83 82 81 80 79 
			 Mixed 7 8 8 8 8 
			 Asian or Asian British 2 2 2 2 3 
			 Black or Black British 6 7 7 8 8 
			 Other ethnic groups 1 1 1 2 2 
			 (1) Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements. (2) Historical data may differ from older publications. This is mainly due to the implementation of amendments and corrections sent by some local authorities after the publication date of previous materials.  (3 )Information on ethnicity started to be collected in 2001.  (4 )Figures are taken from the CLA100 return.  (5) Figures are taken from the SSDA903 return.

Looked-after Children

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children were taken into local authority care from mothers under the age of  (a) 16 and  (b) 18 years in each year since 1997.

Parmjit Dhanda: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Medicine Courses

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students have been admitted to university to read medicine on courses which lead to registration as doctors with  (a) less than three Bs at A-level and  (b) less than three Cs at A-level in each of the last seven years.

Bill Rammell: Admission of students to medical, and other, courses is a matter for individual institutions. The main scheme for widening participation is Aimhigher, which aims to raise the attainment levels of young people and their aspirations towards university, and to improve progression. Most activities are not subject-specific, although some local and regional activities are designed to raise awareness of and encourage progression to specific subjects such as medicine. Aimhigher does not include the delivery of degree or other higher education programmes. Information on the pre-entry qualifications of students entering first degree courses in medicine is, however, provided in the following tables.
	
		
			  English domiciled entrants to first degree courses in medicine, by qualifications on entry( 1) 
			  Year of entry  Entrants with A levels as highest qualification on entry  of which, those with scores equivalent to: 
			Less than 3 Bs2/300 tariff points  Less than 3 Cs/less than 240 tariff points 
			  Based upon A level points score from the student's best three A levels, 1998/9 to 2001/2. 
			 1998/99 2,920 75 30 
			 1999/00 2,835 135 40 
			 2000/01 3,155 160 30 
			 2001/02 3,420 235 60 
			 
			  Based upon UCAS tariff score from A levels from student reporting A level as their highest qualification on entry, 2002/3 to 2004/5. 
			 2002/03(3,4,5) 3,760 170 75 
			 2003/04 4,177 200 65 
			 2004/05 4,270 130 55 
			 (1) Figures for 1998/99 to 2001/02 are points-based upon the students' best three A levels. In 2002/03 the UCAS tariff replaced A level scores. The tariff covers a wider range of qualifications though it is possible to identify those students with the tariff equivalent of 3 grade Bs (300 points) or 3 grade Cs (240 points). However, tariff score contains an unlimited number of eligible qualifications, not just the students' best three A levels.  (2) Including students with less than 3 Cs/240 tariff points.  (3) In 2002/03 a new method of coding subject of study was introduced on the student record, though the impact to entrants in medicine is likely to be small.  (4) Figures given for 2002/03 in a previous answer on 14 November 2004 were based upon all students with A level points recorded. This included some students who had a higher qualification on entry (for example a first degree).  (5) Figures for 2002/3 to 2004/5 are based upon students' tariff score from A levels where A levels are their highest qualification on entry.   Note:  Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December and have been rounded to the nearest 5.   Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Primary Initiatives

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many education initiatives there have been in primary education since 1997.

Jim Knight: The Government's reform agenda for primary schools has been set out in successive White papers, key policy documents and Acts of Parliament, as follows:
	
		
			  Key policy documents  Acts of Parliament 
			 Excellence in Schools 1997 Education Act 1997 
			 Schools Achieving Success 2001 Education Schools Act 1997 
			 Every Child Matters 2003 School Standards and Framework Act 1998 
			 Excellence and Enjoyment: a strategy for primary schools 2003 Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 
			 Every Child Matters 2004 Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 
			 The Five Year Strategy for children and learners 2004 Education Act 2002 
			 Higher Standards Better Schools for all 2005 Education Act 2005 
			 The Rose Review of the Teaching of Early Reading: Final report 2006  
			 Building Primary Schools at the heart of the community  
		
	
	All these documents are available from the House of Commons Library and to the public from the National Stationery Office.

Prison Education

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to recommendation 29 of the Education and Skills Select Committee Report, HC114-1, on Prison Education, what discussions she has had with the Home Secretary about the role of Heads of Learning and Skills in prisons.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	The former Home Secretary (Charles Clarke) had several meetings with the former Secretary of State for Education and Skills (Ruth Kelly) over the past year, at which a number of issues relating to the offender learning and skills agenda were discussed.
	The prime function of Heads of Learning and Skills (HoLS), is to support the delivery of all aspects of education provision in prison, and its integration with education provision in the community. This is set out in the Green Paper "Reducing Re-Offending through Skills and Employment", published at the end of last year. HoLS also ensure that this work is linked into the wider establishment resettlement agenda, including vocational training, and improving links with employers.
	The role of individual HoLS is defined by local Prison Service operational priorities.

School Food

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress is being made in introducing healthier eating for children in schools.

Jim Knight: Later this month, we intend to announce, in response to recommendations from the School Meals Review Panel and the School Food Trust, a full suite of new standards for food in schools. The School Food Trust plans to publish good practice guidance to assist with the implementation of the standards.

School Statistics

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many secondary schools are located in villages producing deep mined coal.

Jim Knight: The Department for Education and Skills does not differentiate between types of coal mines, but can provide data relating to the number of secondary schools in coalfield and former coalfield areas as a whole.
	
		
			   Number of secondary( 1)  schools located within coalfield wards in England 
			 Maintained schools 269 
			 (1) Includes secondary and middle deemed secondary schools   Source:  EduBase 11/5/06/ODPM Updating Coalfield Areas May 2003

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts Council

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of Government grant in aid to Arts Council England since 2001-02.

David Lammy: My Department is currently involved in the Government's comprehensive spending review. This exercise, which is led by HM Treasury, includes a retrospective assessment of how Arts Council England has spent the grant in aid it has received since the last comprehensive spending review. The organisation was also recently the subject of a peer review, the results of which were published in December 2005.

Arts Council

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money has been allocated to Arts Council England in each year since 1997; and how much this represents per head of population in England.

David Lammy: Grant in Aid allocations to Arts Council England, population figures for England(1)and per capita spend for 1997-2004 are in the following table. Grant in aid( )allocation for 2005-06 was £412m but accurate population data are not yet available. These figures do not include the £1,525m funding for the arts from the National Lottery Distribution Fund from 1997-98 to 2004-05.
	
		
			  £ 
			  Year  Grant in Aid (s)  Population  Spend per head 
			 1997-98 186,600,000 48,664,800 3.83 
			 1998-99 189,950,000 48,820,600 3.89 
			 1999-00 228,250,000 49,032,900 4.66 
			 2000-01 237,155,000 49,233,300 4.82 
			 2001-02 251,455,000 49,387,700 5.11 
			 2002-03 289,405,000 49,561,800 5.84 
			 2003-04 324,955,000 49,855,700 6.52 
			 2004-05 368,859,000 50,093,100 7.36 
			  Source:(1)Office of National Statistics Mid-Year Population Estimates

BBC Broadcasts

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are being taken to ensure that all BBC licence payers in the North West continue to receive BBC broadcasts when analogue is switched of in 2009.

Shaun Woodward: Digital switchover will enable digital terrestrial coverage to match the current 98.5 per cent. analogue level. Switchover for the Granada region and the Yorkshire region will happen in the second half of 2009 and the first half of 2011 respectively.
	The Government have confirmed the regional timetable for the switchover to digital television and announced details of a support scheme to help the most vulnerable households to make the switch.
	Digital UK, an independent, not-for-profit company, will co-ordinate the implementation of digital switchover and ensure that consumers have timely and accurate information about the switch.

Consultations

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many public consultations her Department undertook in the last 12 months; and what the cost was  (a) in total and  (b) of each consultation.

David Lammy: Over 2005, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport undertook 15 formal public consultations in order to inform the Department's policy development. Information on the cost of each consultation and the total cost of all consultations could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Equal Pay

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are undertaken within her Department to ensure that women are obtaining equal pay to men doing work of equal value.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport was one of the first Departments to conduct an equal pay audit and to publish an equal pay action plan. Since then we have taken steps to reduce pay differentials between men and women by shortening pay bands and by increasing the number of women in the more senior grades. The results of these activities are shown in the data contained in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Ms Clark) on 8 May 2006,  Official Report, columns 45-47. The Department is now conducting a further equal pay review with trade unions and expects to report later this year.

Heritage Lottery Fund

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2006,  Official Report, column 1233W, on Heritage Lottery Fund, how much was awarded to organisations and projects in each  (a) constituency and  (b) council district in Northern Ireland in each year since 2002.

David Lammy: Details of grants awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund to organisations and projects in Northern Ireland in each year since 2002 are set out in the following table. This information is derived from the Department's Lottery award database, searchable at: www.lottery.culture.gov.uk, which uses information supplied by the Lottery distributors.
	
		
			  £ 
			  District council/ local authority  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Antrim 176,500 5,000 — 5,000 9,835 
			 Ards 538,100 34,300 45,600 122,400 2,975,000 
			 Armagh 962,036 27,033 119,098 321,851 199,257 
			 Ballymena 3,311 95,800 1,233,390 — — 
			 Ballymoney — — — 293,100 — 
			 Banbridge 4,961 12,459 4,900 4,350 — 
			 Belfast 2,316,321 1,443,680 1,170,315 6,108,715 528,863 
			 Castlereagh 3,481 2,638 1,614,100 — — 
			 Coleraine 3,795 1,111,500 — 178,500 38,300 
			 Cookstown 4,340 212,900 195,703 148,349 — 
			 Craigavon 738,250 54,256 34,400 4;970 13,900 
			 Derry City 64,100 360,400 4,075 1,123,276 553,000 
			 Down 1,246,500 484,455 24,900 86,600 — 
			 Dungannon 177,118 — 105,300 28222  
			 Fermanagh 54,650 57,900 5,240 330,580 35,200 
			 Larne 509,251 237,000 192,787 — — 
			 Limavady 4,400 — — — — 
			 Lisburn 2,829,288 1,433,988 1,004,675 69,680 — 
			 Magherafelt 5,000 67,200 4,047 4,300 — 
			 Moyle 610,235 303,330 100,600 73,900 — 
			 Newry and Mourne 14,544 1,553,235 313,107 118,482 150,500 
			 Newtownabbey 5,000 — 2,250 — 348,500 
			 North Down 301,800 79,000 — 13,200 455,000 
			 Omagh — — — 48,100 — 
			 Strabane 7,500 253,400 236,700 — — 
		
	
	
		
			  £ 
			  UK Constituency  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Belfast East 905,981 7,218 4,500 49,495 — 
			 Belfast North 97,156 328,000 112,300 1,048,820 353,463 
			 Belfast South 1,272,165 160,100 1,989,770 865,200 499,700 
			 Belfast West 44,500 951,000 692,645 145,200 24,200 
			 East Antrim 509,251 237,000 192,787 — — 
			 East Londonderry 8,195 1,111,500 — 178,500 38,300 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 231,768 57,900 10,240 332,047 35,200 
			 Foyle 64,100 360,400 4,075 1,123,276 553,000 
			 Lagan Valley 2,829,288 1,433,988 989,875 69,680 — 
			 Mid Ulster 9,340 280,100 300,050 179,404 — 
			 Newry and Armagh 967,036 1,575,633 428,014 436,951 224,757 
			 North Antrim 613,546 399,130 1,333,990 367,000 — 
			 North Down 301,800 79,000 — 13,200 455,000 
			 South Antrim 181,500 5,000 2,250 5,000 9,835 
			 South Down 1,256,044 418,090 33,991 94,332 125,000 
			 Strangford 538,100 105,300 45,600 122,400 2,975,000 
			 Upper Bann 743,211 66,715 34,400 4,970 13,900 
			 West Tyrone 7,500 253,400 236,700 48,100 —

Ministerial Visits (Accommodation)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total cost was of overnight accommodation for Ministers of State in her Department on foreign visits in each of the last three years.

David Lammy: All travel by DCMS Ministers when travelling on official business is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code on Travel by Ministers. Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year, this information includes accommodation costs. Copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

Private Office Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of her private office staff is  (a) male,  (b) female and  (c) disabled.

David Lammy: Some 87 per cent. of private office staff are female and 13 per cent. male. At present, there are no disabled members of staff working in the private office.

Promotion Boards

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what promotion boards have been held in her Department in each of the last five years.

David Lammy: The Department held annual promotion boards for all permanent staff below the senior civil service until 2004. In November 2005, the Department introduced a new selection to post system in which staff may apply in competition for posts either at their current grade or at a higher grade.

Racial Abuse Complaints

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many complaints of racial abuse have been  (a) investigated and  (b) upheld in her Department in each of the last five years.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not had any complaints of racial abuse in the last five years.

Staff Surveys

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff surveys have been conducted in her Department in each of the last three years.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport conducts Staff Opinion Surveys every two years as a way of gathering valuable feedback from staff. In the last three years the Department has conducted two staff surveys, one in June 2003 and one in June 2005.

Television Licence

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she had with the BBC about the role of the Post Office in supplying TV licences prior to the decision to end the contract.

Shaun Woodward: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the BBC on this matter. The award of the contract for over-the- counter sales of television licences is a commercial matter for the BBC as television licensing authority. The Government have no power to intervene in such matters, nor would it be appropriate to comment on the Corporation's decision. DCMS officials were informed by the BBC of the proposal to put the contract out to tender and were notified by the Corporation prior to the announcement of the award of the contract. DCMS liaised with the DTI to keep them informed of developments.

Unspent Budget

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much of the budget for her Department remained unspent in the 2005-06 financial year.

David Lammy: The accounts for financial year 2005-06 have not yet been finalised. The provisional outturn indicates a total resource under spend of £58 million. This equates to 3.3 per cent. of the total budget.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Ministerial Responsibilities

Jeremy Wright: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what he expects the cost to public funds to be of his fulfilment of his new role in each of the next three years.

John Prescott: As I said earlier, the Prime Minister has today announced the details of my new responsibilities, and these are now available in the Library of the House.
	In carrying out this role, I will be supported by a private office, a secretariat and the Cabinet Office as relevant to my responsibilities.

Ministerial Responsibilities

David Gauke: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his responsibilities are in his new role.

John Prescott: I refer the hon. Member to the responses I gave the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) and the hon. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Mr. Evennett) today.

Office Staff

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff will be working for him in his new office.

John Prescott: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Reading, East (Mr. Wilson) today.

Office Staff

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his new office will have a diary secretary.

John Prescott: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Reading, East (Mr. Wilson) today.

Office Staff

Peter Viggers: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what criteria staff in his office have to fulfil before they become eligible for fully paid leave.

John Prescott: Staff management issues are the responsibility of the civil service.

PRIME MINISTER

Social Behaviour

Graham Allen: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his oral answer of 1 February 2006,  Official Report, column 316, on social behaviour, if he will meet the hon. Member for Nottingham, North to discuss the teaching of social behaviour in primary schools in areas of educational under-achievement.

Tony Blair: I met my hon. Friend recently to discuss these issues. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for the leadership he shows on these issues, and in his constituency. Ministers at the Department for Education and Skills will continue to work closely with him on these issues.

Staffordshire Ambulance Service

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the future of the Staffordshire ambulance service.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made on 16 May 2006,  Official Report, columns 849-51 by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Health (Andy Burnham).

Deputy Prime Minister

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will list the official duties of the Deputy Prime Minister; what his annual salary will be; what official accommodation he has been allocated; how many staff he has been allocated; at what grade; what the official office address will be; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will list the Cabinet Committees which are chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister.

Eric Pickles: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many full-time equivalent staff the Deputy Prime Minister will have working for him in his new role;
	(2)  where the Deputy Prime Minister's new office will be based; and whether he will retain his offices at 26 Whitehall;
	(3)  whether the Deputy Prime Minister will retain his official residences;
	(4)  whether the Deputy Prime Minister will have a  (a) private parliamentary secretary and  (b) junior Ministers assisting his brief;
	(5)  To ask the Prime Minister whether the Deputy Prime Minister will appoint a special adviser;
	(6)  which Cabinet Committees the Deputy Prime Minister will  (a) chair and  (b) be a member of.

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister where the Deputy Prime Minister's office will be located; and how many civil servants will be attached to it, broken down by grade.

Theresa May: To ask the Prime Minister under which departmental budget the cost of the Deputy Prime Minister's office will fall; and what estimate he has made of the cost in 2006-07.

Tony Blair: The business of Government is by nature cross-departmental and the main way of agreeing policy and driving reform across departmental responsibilities is through Cabinet Committees and sub-Committees.
	Like previous holders of the office, the Deputy Prime Minister will act with my full authority in overseeing the delivery of Government business, including delivering key pledges in the 2005 manifesto. He will have a wide-ranging brief across the full range of domestic policy areas, and will continue to deputise for me domestically, including at Prime Minister's Questions, and in his current international role.
	Following the reshuffle, the full list of chairs of Cabinet Committees and sub-Committees has today been announced in a written ministerial statement. The Deputy Prime Minister will chair nine Committees, a net addition of four to his previous responsibilities. This includes chairing the Domestic Affairs Committee, which takes decisions across the range of domestic Government business.
	The full list of Committees chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister is:
	Domestic Affairs (DA)
	Public Health (DA/(PH))
	Housing and Planning (HP)
	Inspection (RB(I))
	Post Office Network (MISC33), a new Committee
	Ageing Policy (DA(AP))
	Local and Regional Government (LRG)
	Local Government Strategy and Performance (LRG(P))
	Animal Right Activists (MISC13)
	In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister will play an active role as my deputy on the following seven Committees:
	Anti Social Behaviour (ASB)
	Asylum and Migration (AM)
	Energy and the Environment (EE)
	National Health Service Reform (HSR)
	Public Service Reform (PSR)
	Schools Policy (SP)
	Serious Organised Crime and Drugs (SOC)
	The Deputy Prime Minister is also entitled to attend all other Cabinet Committees, as he judges necessary.
	The Deputy Prime Minister has also agreed to work with Cabinet colleagues on improving the effectiveness of policy development across Government, and in particular with respect to the major issues which require an effective cross-Government response. He is also looking at our practice in developing policy, and how this can be improved.
	Additionally, the Deputy Prime Minister will continue to assist me with my international duties, along with his other international work particularly in respect of the China task force, and, in recognition of his work in delivering the Kyoto treaty, to work with the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of State for the Environment, and other departments across Government on promoting the Government's post-Kyoto agenda.
	The Deputy Prime Minister will continue to have the use of Dorneywood. Under the terms of the Dorneywood Trust, there is no cost to public funds. The Deputy Prime Minister will be supported by a private office and secretariat, allocated from within existing civil service resources. This expenditure will be accounted for and audited in the normal way. In his Cabinet Committee work he will be supported by the Cabinet Office's secretariats, and will draw on the support of officials in other Departments as necessary to fulfil his other responsibilities.

Minister Without Portfolio

Oliver Heald: To ask the Prime Minister what the responsibilities are of the Minister without Portfolio; and what salary is paid to her in respect of these responsibilities.

Tony Blair: The Minister without Portfolio is a member of Cabinet and will be a member of a number of Cabinet Committees. A full list of the membership of Cabinet Committees will be published shortly. The salary of the Minister without Portfolio is paid for by the Labour Party.

Ministerial Visits (Accommodation)

David Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  on how many occasions  (a) civil servants and  (b) special advisers in his Office have stayed overnight in (i) five star, (ii) four star and (iii) three star hotels in each of the last three years;
	(2)  what the total cost was of overnight accommodation for  (a) civil servants in his Office and  (b) special advisers staying overnight in (i) mainland Great Britain, (ii) Northern Ireland, (iii) the Republic of Ireland and (iv) other countries in each of the last three years.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 December 2004,  Official Report, column 566W to the hon. Member for Chichester(Mr. Tyrie).

Television Licences

Danny Alexander: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions his Office had with the BBC about the role of the Post Office in supplying TV licences  (a) prior to and  (b) since the decision to end the Post Office's contract for this work.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House (Jack Straw) on 11 May 2006,  Official Report, columns 517-18 to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael).

CABINET OFFICE

Social Exclusion

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what support has been made available since 1997 to tackle social exclusion in the most deprived areas of the United Kingdom, with particular reference to rural areas.

Hilary Armstrong: Tackling social exclusion is one of this Government's most ambitious and important goals. The Social Exclusion Unit aims to explore the rural dimension in all its work. Furthermore, the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund was established in 2001 and £45 million of NRF funding is currently allocated to 16 rural areas. DEFRA provides £73 million per annum to RDA budgets and is committed to establishing the Commission for Rural Communities.

Departmental Contracts

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what contracts the Cabinet Office has awarded to  (a) Geronimo Communications and  (b) Tribal Communications since 1997; for what purpose each contract was issued; and what the cost was of each contract.

Hilary Armstrong: The Cabinet Office has not let any contracts to Geronimo Communications or Tribal Communications since 1997.

Ministerial Tenure

Graham Allen: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the average length of time in office has been for  (a) Cabinet Ministers,  (b) Ministers of State and  (c) Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State since 1976.

Hilary Armstrong: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Northcote-Trevelyan Report

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Government plan to review the conclusions of the Northcote-Trevelyan Report on the civil service.

Patrick McFadden: The Government remain committed to a permanent impartial civil service with appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. These principles have been confirmed in the new Civil Service Code which was launched for consultation on 27 January 2006.

Portland PR

Doug Henderson: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what meetings officials in her Department have had with representatives of the public relations company Portland PR; what contracts Portland PR has with her Department and agencies for which she has responsibility; and what the nature of the contract is in each case.

Hilary Armstrong: The Cabinet Office has not awarded any contracts to Portland PR.
	The Department does not maintain a central list of such meetings. Civil servants meet many people as part of the process of policy development and business delivery. All such meetings are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Service Code and Guidance for civil servants on contacts with lobbyists and people outside Government.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

"Sustainable Communities: Homes for All"

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost was of printing the "Sustainable Communities: Homes for All" revision.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	In order to replenish stocks, 2,000 further copies of Cm 6424 "Sustainable Communities: Homes for all" were printed in March 2005 at a cost of £3,950.

Anti-Semitism

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps the Government are taking to reduce anti-Semitism; and what dedicated funds are available for this.

Meg Munn: The Government celebrate and value the contribution made by the Jewish community. The Government deplore all forms of racism and are committed to tackling anti-Semitism wherever it exists.
	We believe that the best way to do this is through the effective implementation of strong legislation against racial and religious discrimination and racially and religiously motivated crime, underpinned by policies and strategies to increase racial equality and community cohesion.
	Our laws therefore do not distinguish between particular racial groups or particular forms of racism. We therefore treat anti-Semitic incidents as racist incidents.
	In recent years the Government have strengthened both the legal framework against race discrimination and the criminal penalties for offences such as incitement to racial hatred and for racially or religiously aggravated assault and criminal damage.
	We have robust police and crime prosecution service policies. Additionally, crime and disorder reduction partnerships are required to consider all crime including hate crime and their local areas when determining their strategies. Tackling hate crime is an essential element of ensuring safer communities.
	The Government are fully committed to engaging with faith communities at all levels and this forms a crucial part of our overall strategy of building a more inclusive, tolerant and cohesive society. Since the publication and subsequent implementation of the recommendations of the "Working Together: Co-operation between Government and faith communities" Report (2004) there has been substantial progress in consulting and involving faith communities in policy development across Whitehall.
	We are teaching young people through the National Curriculum about citizenship and there is a statutory requirement on schools to teach about the Holocaust. Government also support the annual commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day to reinforce the message that racism and prejudice can have catastrophic consequences.
	In keeping with the approach towards tackling hate crime as outlined above we deliberately do not have dedicated funds to tackle anti-Semitism.
	However, the Home Office established the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust in 2005 to take over the responsibility for organising a national commemoration. The Government support the Trust with an annual amount of £500,000 to meet the costs of the commemoration.

Departmental Re-branding

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been allocated in connection with the setting-up of her new Department for  (a) the design and production of new logos,  (b) modifications to buildings and furnishings,  (c) stationery,  (d) online media design,  (e) re-branding and  (f) other costs; and from what budgets the resources will be drawn.

Angela Smith: The Department will bear down on all costs involved in setting up the Department for Communities and Local Government and have allocated a budget of £8,000 to £12,000 from the Department's corporate communications budget.
	To date the costs for this exercise are as follows:
	(a) the design and production of a new logotype £2,200,
	(b) the modifications to buildings and furnishings, approximately £5,000,
	(c) stationery, approximately £2,500.
	(d) online media design £600
	For  (e) re-branding and  (f) other costs, the Department will draw down on the allocated corporate communications budget.

Departmental Re-branding

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department is expecting to spend on departmental re-branding.

Angela Smith: The Department will bear down on the necessary costs arising from the establishment of the Department for Communities and Local Government and at all times will look to achieve best value for money for the complete exercise. Where appropriate the Department will continue to use existing Office of the Deputy Prime Minister branded materials while these stocks last.
	A budget of £8,000 to £12,000 has been allocated for this exercise, of which approximately £2,200 has been spent on the design, production and introduction of a departmental logotype.
	The remainder of the budget will be used for implementation over time.

Departmental Re-branding

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the cost of transferring the responsibilities of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to her Department.

Angela Smith: holding answer 11 May 2006
	There will be no additional public expenditure as a consequence of the Machinery of Government (MOG) changes transferring the responsibilities of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and other Departments to the new Department for Communities and Local Government.
	The MOG changes will be reflected in adjustments to Departmental budgets which will be cost-neutral in overall public terms.
	Any costs of establishing the new Department for Communities and Local Government, such as relocation of incoming staff from other Departments' buildings, changes to signage and stationery, will be met from existing budgets.

Departmental Re-branding

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which communities and civic renewal functions have been transferred to her Department from the Home Office.

Angela Smith: As set out by the Prime Minister in his letter of 9 May, responsibilities for communities, race, faith, and equalities will be brought together with the existing responsibilities of the Department for Communities and Local Government,

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of the staff in his Department is  (a) male,  (b) female and  (c) disabled, broken down by grade.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The following table sets out the percentage of staff within DCLG as at 31 December 2005.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			  Responsibility level  Male  Female  Declared disabled 
			 SCS level 61 39 2 
			 Grades 6/7 60 40 2 
			 SEO/HEO 54 46 2 
			 EO 48 52 3 
			 AO/AA 38 62 2 
			 Industrial 100 0 0 
			 Total 53 47 2 
			  Source:  HR Information System (PIMS) 
		
	
	Departmental records of disabled staff are solely based on voluntary declaration of disability under the Disability Discrimination Act and not connected in any way to formal register of disability.

Fire Service

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how fire cover will be provided if firefighters take strike action; and what contingency planning the Government have taken in the event of strike action.

Angela Smith: The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 imposes a duty on fire and rescue authorities to put in place business continuity management arrangements to ensure that they can continue to exercise their functions in the event of an emergency as far as reasonably practicable. This includes industrial action.
	National contingency planning arrangements for industrial action in the fire and rescue service are kept under constant review.

Gershon Review

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department has taken as a result of the Gershon initiative.

Phil Woolas: Following the Gershon efficiency review, the Spending Review 2004 set the Department (as ODPM) a target to achieve at least £620 million annual efficiency gains by 2008. We have established a central efficiency programme which includes registered social landlord housing, regional development agencies, fire modernisation, homelessness, Departmental work force reduction and administration. Some £244 million in gains have been made to date and we are forecast to exceed our target. The Department's Annual Report to be published shortly will cover the latest progress.
	DCLG also has responsibility for overseeing delivery of the Local Government target of £6.45 billion efficiencies from local authorities, schools and police by 2008. Councils' contribution to this is at least £3 billion. They are on track to meet and indeed exceed it. Information on activities and progress can be seen in the "Efficiency—One Year On" document (www.rce.gov.uk/rce/aio/l6537).

Housing

Lynne Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many households there were on  (a) council and  (b) registered social landlord waiting lists in each of the last 20 years.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	 (a) The number of households on councils' housing waiting lists in England for the period 1986-2005 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  As at 1 April:  Number of households on the housing waiting list 
			 1986 1,351,300 
			 1987 1,289,500 
			 1988 1,273,500 
			 1989 1,250,000 
			 1990 1,255,500 
			 1991 1,282,500 
			 1992 1,296,700 
			 1993 1,208,800 
			 1994 1,121,500 
			 1995 1,087,100 
			 1996 1,062,200 
			 1997 1,021,100 
			 1998 1,022,800 
			 1999 1,035,800 
			 2000 1,038,700 
			 2001 1,039,300 
			 2002 1,093,300 
			 2003 1,266,300 
			 2004 1,427,700 
			 2005 1,546,900 
			  Source:  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix return (HSSA) from 2000 onwards; ODPM's Housing Investment Programme (HIP) return before 2000. 
		
	
	Local authorities (LAs) in England report the numbers of households on their housing waiting list as at 1 April in their annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix returns. Where the local authority maintains a common waiting list with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) in their district, the list will also include households placed on the list by RSLs.
	 (b) The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not collect information on households on individual RSL waiting lists. However, as stated above the figures for LA waiting lists will include some households on RSL waiting lists where they operate a common list.
	Not everyone on the waiting list is necessarily in urgent housing need. The waiting list also includes those who consider social housing as their preferred or one of a number of housing options, and those who decide to get onto the waiting list ladder before they need or want to move house—particularly where the priority system is heavily based on waiting time.

Planning Gain Supplement

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate the Government has made of the annual revenue to be raised from planning gain supplement.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The amount of revenue from a planning-gain supplement (PGS) will depend on final decisions on its rate and scope. PGS will be set at a modest rate to help finance additional infrastructure whilst preserving incentives to bring land forward for development.

Power Stations

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to exclude power stations from rateable value growth targets as part of the end of year one review of the local authority business growth incentive scheme.

Phil Woolas: The Local Authority Business Growth Incentive scheme's (LABGI) end of year one review is considering feedback received following the scheme's first year in operation (2005-06) including consideration of power stations. The review's conclusions will have implications for the details of the scheme in years' two and three, and Ministers will be announcing their conclusions in due course.

Regional Centres of Excellence

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost has been of the regional centres of excellence.

Phil Woolas: Since 2004-05, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the predecessor to the Department for Communities and Local Government, has provided direct funding of the order of £30.8 million to the regional centres of excellence (RCEs).

SCOTLAND

Departmental Expenditure

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent on advertising by his Department in each of the last three years.

David Cairns: Nothing.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of his private office staff are  (a) male,  (b) female and  (c) disabled.

David Cairns: Some 67 per cent. of staff in private office are male and 33 per cent. are female; in the interests of privacy, we do not publish the figures on disabled staff where these are less than five.

Home Working

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in his Department have been enabled to work from home in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

David Cairns: All the staff in the Scotland Office are on loan from the Scottish Executive or the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA). Although no staff in the Scotland Office have formally worked from home in the last three years, both the Scottish Executive and the DCA are committed to achieving a work-life balance for all staff.

Ministerial Visits (Accommodation)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions  (a) civil servants and  (b) special advisers in his Department have stayed overnight in (i) five star, (ii) four star and (iii) three star hotels in each of the last three years.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office does not hold this information.

Ministerial Visits (Accommodation)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total cost was of overnight accommodation for  (a) civil servants and  (b) special advisers in his Department staying overnight in (i) mainland Great Britain, (ii) Northern Ireland, (iii) the Republic of Ireland and (iv) other countries in each of the last three years.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office does not hold this information in the form requested.

Public Consultations

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many public consultations his Department undertook in the last 12 months; and what the cost was  (a) in total and  (b) of each consultation.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office has undertaken no public consultations in the last year.

Racial Abuse

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints of racial abuse have been  (a) investigated and  (b) upheld in his Department in each of the last five years.

David Cairns: There have been no complaints of racial abuse in the last five years.

Staff Surveys

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff surveys have been conducted in his Department in each of the last three years.

David Cairns: Over the last three years, staff in the Scotland Office have been able to participate in two staff surveys by the Department for Constitutional Affairs and three staff surveys by the Scottish Executive.

Unspent Budget

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much of the budget for his Department remained unspent in the 2005-06 financial year.

David Cairns: It is estimated that the Scotland Office will underspend its provision for 2005-06 by £0.59 million.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Advertising

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on advertising by her Department in each of the last three years.

Margaret Beckett: The total spent on advertising in each of the last three years was:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2003-04 368,818.96 
			 2004-05 151,560.75 
			 2005-06 233,797.34

Air Miles

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many free air miles have been accrued by senior civil servants in her Department on official business in each of the last three years; and how they were used.

Margaret Beckett: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not record the number of air miles earned by members of its staff travelling on official business.
	The FCO follows Cabinet Office rules, which do not permit staff to use air miles, which they have accumulated through official travel, for personal journeys. We encourage staff to make use of these air miles to reduce the cost of future official travel. If they are unable to do so, and the air miles are transferable, they may pass them to their resource manager to use for official travel by others. If the air miles are not transferable, staff may donate them to a charity of the travel operator's choice.

Basra

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of progress in implementing the agreement to restart cooperation with the local government in Basra in Iraq since 12 March 2006; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: We have been working hard since my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Middle East, Kim Howells, visited Iraq in March to secure a resumption of co-operation with the Basra Provincial Council. This was finally achieved on 7 May, when the Chairman of the Council announced a formal end to the boycott he and his colleagues had earlier imposed. This welcome development opens the way to restoration of full co-operation between us and the Basra local authorities.

Departmental Credit Cards

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what facility is available for senior civil servants in her Department to use credit cards supplied by the Department.

Margaret Beckett: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issues a corporate credit card to UK-based staff for use on official travel. The card may be used in the UK and overseas to pay for items such as hotel accommodation, rail tickets and taxi fares. Officers travelling overseas may also use the card to withdraw foreign currency, up to a limit of £325 per week.
	The corporate credit cards are issued to UK-based staff who travel regularly and are not restricted only to senior civil servants. Each officer holding a card is given guidance on its use and their attention is drawn to what may and may not be purchased with the card. At present, there are nearly 600 UK-based card holders, who made over 2,500 individual transactions in the first quarter of 2006.
	Some overseas posts also issue their own corporate credit cards, in line with guidance issued by Finance Directorate. These cards are issued locally and, although Finance Directorate are aware of the posts that have issued cards, the Directorate does not hold information about the cardholders, or how frequently they are used. Finance Directorate guidance is that cards are issued to officers according to need, rather than according to grade.

Iran

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made  (a) unilaterally and  (b) through the EU to the Iranian government in response to reports of renewed persecution of those of the Baha'i faith in Iran; and what representations she has received on the matter.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I are seriously concerned at the situation faced by the Baha'i community in Iran. Recent reports that Iran's Supreme Leader has instructed the Iranian authorities and armed forces to identify Baha'is and monitor their activities are deeply disturbing. We expect Iran to uphold freedom of religion and belief in accordance with its international obligations under Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
	Ministers and officials have pressed the Iranian authorities on many occasions to take action to address the intimidation and discrimination suffered by Iranian Baha'is. At our suggestion, the EU conveyed its serious concern to the Iranian authorities on 31 January and again on11 April. On 10 April, EU Foreign Ministers underlined their
	"continued concerns about the human rights situation in Iran, in particular regarding the situation of Baha'is"
	.
	We have also taken action at the UN. All EU countries co-sponsored a UN General Assembly resolution on human rights in Iran in December last year. This expressed serious concern at, inter alia,
	"the escalation and increased frequency of discrimination and other human rights violations against the Baha'i, including cases of arbitrary arrest and detention, the denial of freedom of religion or of publicly carrying out communal affairs, the disregard of property rights, the destruction of sites of religious importance, the suspension of social, educational and community-related activities and the denial of access to higher education, employment, pensions, adequate housing and other benefits".
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received several representations from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the UK on this issue.

Iran

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of  (a) the likelihood of and  (b) the time scale for Iran developing nuclear weapons.

Kim Howells: The Iranian Government have stated on a number of occasions that it does not wish to develop nuclear weapons. However, Iran's documented record of deception over the last two decades gives serious grounds for concern about the real intentions of its nuclear programme. There is documented evidence that Iran used a clandestine international procurement network. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has also reported that Iran has in its possession a document describing the procedures for the reduction of UF6 to uranium metal in small quantities, and the casting of enriched and depleted uranium metal into hemispheres, related to the fabrication of nuclear weapon components. The IAEA has indicated that the existence of this document is a matter of concern. Information has also been made available to the IAEA concerning possible Iranian work on the design of a missile re-entry vehicle which could have a military nuclear dimension. Iran has refused to discuss this information with the IAEA.
	IAEA Director General, Dr. el-Baradei, in his report on 2 September 2005 noted that after
	"two and a half years of intensive inspections and investigation, Iran's full transparency is essential and long-overdue".
	The IAEA is still unable to conclude that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran. At a press conference in Algeria, on 17 February, my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Mr. Straw) said:
	"There are strong suspicions internationally that Iran may be seeking to use its nuclear programme in order to develop a nuclear weapons capability.... but we do not have absolute proof".
	Estimates of the time Iran might require to develop a nuclear weapon vary, depending on assumptions made.

Iran

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of Iran's threat to withdraw from all or part of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Kim Howells: Iran's leaders have said on a number of occasions in recent weeks that Iran might consider withdrawing from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) in certain circumstances. For example, President Ahmadinejad said on 24 April,
	'working in the framework of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and the (International Atomic Energy) agency (IAEA) is our concrete policy, but if we see that they are violating our rights, or they don't want to accept (our rights), well, we will revise'.
	On 7 May, 160 Majlis deputies issued a statement saying that if the United Nations Security Council adopted a Resolution on Iran under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Majlis would oblige the Iranian government to consider withdrawing from the NPT.
	Such comments are hard to reconcile with President Ahmadinejad's claim at the UN General Assembly in September 2005 that "continued interaction and technical and legal co-operation with the IAEA will be the centrepiece of our nuclear policy", and with the commitment of Iran's Ambassador to the IAEA in August 2005 that Iran would "never" leave the NPT. They have presumably been made to influence Security Council deliberations presently under way. As the IAEA Board and the Security Council have made clear, Iran needs to build confidence that its nuclear programme is for exclusively peaceful purposes, including by reinstating a full suspension of all enrichment-related and reprocessing activity and increasing transparency with the IAEA. Threats to withdraw from the NPT have the opposite effect, undermining international confidence still further.

Iran

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to Iran concerning the filling of the post of Iranian ambassador to London.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made no such representations.

Iran

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on Iranian accession to the World Trade Organisation.

Kim Howells: The World Trade Organisation (WTO) General Council accepted Iran's application to begin the process of accession to the WTO on 26 May 2005. This process normally takes several years. The next steps will be to establish a working party of WTO members that indicate an interest, and for Iran to submit a memorandum on foreign trade describing its current trading regime and setting out the reforms it intends to make in order to ensure that this regime is compatible with WTO norms. The European Union has traditionally supported the principle of Iran's accession to the WTO, which should promote economic reform, liberalisation, transparency and respect for property rights, and reduce discriminatory trade practices. As part of the accession process, Iran must agree acceptable terms and complete bilateral negotiations with all interested WTO parties before it could finally join.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has received from within Iraq on behalf of the International Tax and Investment Center in Iraq since January 2005; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We have not received any representations from within Iraq on behalf of the International Tax and Investment Center since January 2005.

Iraq

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British civilians have been killed in Iraq since March 2003.

Kim Howells: Our consular records show that at least 36 British civilians have died in Iraq since March 2003. This number includes deaths from natural causes, but is not a definitive figure as records include only those cases where consular assistance has been sought. The figure does not include British dual nationals.

Israel

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether representations have been made to the Israeli authorities to cease withholding Palestinian tax revenues by  (a) the UK and  (b) the EU; and what assessment has been made of the feasibility of channelling those tax revenues via the EU.

Kim Howells: The UK and the EU have consistently called on the Government of Israel to ensure that the tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA) reach the Palestinian people. We welcome the move by Israel to use the revenues to pay utilities bills that the PA has accrued with Israeli companies from those revenues. We also welcome Foreign Minister Livni's announcement that withheld revenues could be used for humanitarian purposes. Channelling funds through the EU mechanism would be a further positive move.

Leonard Hardy

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what  (a) discussions and  (b) correspondence there has been between her Department and the German authorities on the case of Leonard Hardy; and whether an agreement was reached between the Government and German authorities in relation to this case.

Margaret Beckett: Leonard Hardy was arrested in Spain on 17 August 2005 for the bombing of the Osnabruck barracks, Germany, in 1996.
	There were discussions between our embassy in Berlin and the German authorities about the UK's policy in relation to dealing with terrorist suspects "on the run". These focused, in particular, on the implications of the document entitled "Proposals in Relation to On the Runs (OTRs)" published in May 2003 and the subsequent draft legislation, the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill, and their potential relevance to the cases of individuals suspected of offences committed in Germany.
	That legislation was withdrawn on 11 January 2006. The Government had no role in Hardy's extradition from Spain to Germany, which we understand took place under the European Convention on Extradition 1957 and the relevant German and Spanish legislation, and subsequent prosecution. No agreement was made between the Government and the German authorities in relation to this case.

Ministerial Visits (Accommodation)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions  (a) civil servants and  (b) special advisers in her Department have stayed overnight in (i) five star, (ii) four star and (iii) three star hotels in each of the last three years.

Margaret Beckett: There is no centrally held record of the number of nights civil servants or special advisers have been accommodated in hotels over the last three years, nor the standard of those hotels. To answer this question officials would need to contact every post worldwide and ask them to let us know specifically the number of nights and the standard of accommodation civil servants or special advisers stayed in. To collate this information would therefore incur disproportionate cost.

Ministerial Visits (Accommodation)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total cost was of overnight accommodation for  (a) civil servants and  (b) special advisers in her Department staying overnight in (i) mainland Great Britain, (ii) Northern Ireland, (iii) the Republic of Ireland and (iv) other countries in each of the last three years.

Margaret Beckett: There is no centrally held record of the cost of overnight accommodation for civil servants or special advisers over the last three years. To answer this question staff from my Department would need to contact every post worldwide and ask them to let us know specifically the cost of accommodation in which civil servants or special advisers stayed. To collate this information would therefore incur disproportionate cost.

Officials' Phone Calls

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many minutes of free personal overseas telephone calls officials in her Department are entitled to each week while posted overseas.

Margaret Beckett: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office allows staff on detached duty overseas to claim reimbursement for up to five minutes of calls back to the UK a week. In addition, staff on substantive postings overseas receive an element in their overseas allowances to cover up to 60 minutes a month of calls back to the UK at local rates.

Palestine

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much aid the EU plans to channel to the Palestinian territories; and what the value is of the tax revenue due to the Palestinian Authority which has been withheld by Israel.

Kim Howells: The EU was tasked by the Quartet on 9 May to develop a temporary international funding mechanism to ensure assistance reaches the Palestinian people. The modalities of the mechanism, and the amounts that could be channelled through it, are being worked on urgently. The UK will of course want to play its part. Israel collects around US$50 million per month in tax revenues, part of which has been used to pay utilities bills.

Private Office Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of her private office staff is  (a) male,  (b) female and (c) disabled.

Margaret Beckett: Some 36 per cent. of staff in my private office are male, 64 per cent. female and none registered disabled.

Promotion Boards

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many promotion boards have been held in her Department in each of the last five years.

Margaret Beckett: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has held the following number of promotion boards over the past five years:
	
		
			   Boards held 
			 2001 35 
			 2002 32 
			 2003 32 
			 2004 36 
			 2005 22 
			 2006 (1)13 
			 (1)boards held to date, a further 17 planned this year

Racial Abuse

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complaints of racial abuse have been  (a) investigated and  (b) upheld in her Department in each of the last five years.

Margaret Beckett: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not keep a categorised record of formal complaint types (grievances), as grievances are often complex and can arise from a number of different issues so such categorisation is misleading.
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the then Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs (Ian Pearson) gave to him on 18 April,  Official Report, column 537W. FCO records date back to 2003 only.

Staff Development

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total cost was of  (a) staff away days and  (b) staff team building exercises in her Department in each of the last three years.

Margaret Beckett: There is no centrally held record or costing of staff away days and team building exercises. To answer this question would involve staff contacting every Foreign and Commonwealth Office Department and post worldwide to collate this information. This would therefore incur disproportionate costs.

Staff Surveys

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff surveys have been conducted in her Department in each of the last three years.

Margaret Beckett: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has conducted three staff surveys since 2003:
	2004 Employee attitude survey
	2005 FCO Services "Your Say" survey
	2006 "Feedback" staff engagement survey
	The results of the feedback survey are available on the FCO website at the following address: http://www.fco.gov.uk.

UK Waters

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions UK waters around Northern Ireland have been illegally entered in each of the last 10 years.

Ian McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him today (UIN 70532). In international law there is no distinction made between Northern Ireland waters and UK waters. We do not hold any figures relating specifically to waters around Northern Ireland.

UK Waters

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions UK waters have been illegally entered in each of the last 10 years.

Ian McCartney: The UK claims a 12 nautical mile territorial sea. Under Article 17 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ships of all States enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
	Article 19(1) of UNCLOS provides that passage is innocent so long as it is not prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the coastal State. Passage of a foreign ship shall be considered prejudicial to the peace, good order and security of the coastal State, provided the coastal State has not consented to the activity, if the ship engages in any of the activities listed in Article 19(2) of UNCLOS. These activities range from fishing activities to wilful pollution to exercise or practice with weapons of any kind.
	The act of a foreign flagged vessel entering the UK territorial sea is not in itself illegal, but the activity in which the ship engages once inside the territorial sea may be contrary to UNCLOS.
	We do not hold data on illegal activities carried out in UK waters, although individual Government Departments may be able to provide statistics on specific areas relating to their responsibilities, e.g. illegal fishing.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Pensions

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have made claims for pension credit via  (a) post,  (b) telephone and  (c) a home visit in each of the last three years.

James Purnell: The information requested is not available.

Pensions

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants of pension credit have  (a) requested and  (b) received home visits to assist with a claim in each of the last three years.

James Purnell: The information is available in the following table.
	
		
			   Requests for visit for pension credit claim completion  Visits completed for pension credit claim 
			 2004-05 167,000 162,000 
			 2005-06 82,000 84,000 
			  Notes:  1. Local Service became a nationally led business unit within the Pension Service in April 2004. There are no data available for 2003-04 as there was no national collation of data prior to this restructure.  2. Figures show a higher number of cleared than received requests during 2005-06. This is due to the carry over of appointments into financial year 2005.

Pensions

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners have received  (a) telephone calls and  (b) letters from agencies for which his Department is responsible, inviting them to explore the possibility that they may be eligible for pension credit since October 2004, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

James Purnell: The information is not available in the format requested.
	Since October 2004, the Pension Service has successfully contacted approximately 462,000 pensioners by telephone to discuss their eligibility for pension credit. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of this figure by parliamentary constituency.
	From October 2004 to March 2006 approximately 2.83 million pensioners received a letter from the Pension Service inviting them to explore their eligibility for pension credit. I have placed a breakdown of this figure by parliamentary constituency in the Library.

Pensions

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners having been invited to explore the possibility that they may be eligible for pension credit via an unsolicited call from  (a) the Pension Service and  (b) another agency for which his Department is responsible went on to make (i) a successful and (ii) an unsuccessful application for pension credit, broken down by parliamentary constituency; and how many did not respond.

James Purnell: The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  April 2005-March 2006  Number 
			 Telephone calls(1) 162,000 
			 Pension credit applications generated as a result of the above telephone calls 19,000 
			   
			 Local Service visits(2) 509,000 
			 Pension credit applications generated as a result of the above Local Service visits 87,000 
			 (1) This is the number of outbound calls made by pension credit application line staff where they have been successful in contacting the customer to discuss their eligibility for pension credit.  (2) These are effective visits following direct approach made by Local Service staff to provide the customer with a full benefit entitlement check (which includes pension credit). Initial contact to customers by Local Service staff was made by invitation letter or telephone call to discuss entitlement to financial benefits including pension credit. 
		
	
	All figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. Local Service data show combined invitation letters and telephone calls.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the take-up rate of  (a) savings credit only,  (b) guarantee credit and savings credit and  (c) all pension credit; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: The latest information on the take-up of pension credit, including estimates for the separate elements of pension credit, is available in the DWP report entitled: "Pension Credit Estimates of Take-Up in 2004/2005". A copy of the report is held in the Library.

Pensions

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many telephone calls the Pension Service has made since September 2004 to invite pensioners to explore the possibility that they may be eligible for pension credit  (a) after 6.30 pm on weekdays and  (b) at weekends, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

James Purnell: Between September 2003 and March 2006, a total of 14,000 calls have been made to customers from the Pension Service inviting them to apply for pension credit on Saturday morning. No calls were made on Sunday.
	Information on calls made after 6.30 pm on weekdays is not available.

Pensions

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many telephone calls have been made by the Pension Service informing pensioners of the possibility that they were eligible for pension credit in each month since October 2003.

James Purnell: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		
			  Month  Total successful calls 
			 October 2003 0 
			 November 2003 180 
			 December 2003 22,000 
			 January 2004 34,000 
			 February 2004 28,000 
			 March 2004 48,000 
			 April 2004 20,000 
			 May 2004 30,000 
			 June 2004 15,000 
			 July 2004 27,000 
			 August 2004 30,000 
			 September 2004 22,000 
			 October 2004 18,000 
			 November 2004 27,000 
			 December 2004 56,000 
			 January 2005 59,000 
			 February 2005 35,000 
			 March 2005 19,000 
			 April 2005 31,000 
			 May 2005 35,000 
			 June 2005 24,000 
			 July 2005 13,000 
			 August 2005 25,000 
			 September 2005 21,000 
			 October 2005 23,000 
			 November 2005 4,000 
			 December 2005 11,000 
			 January 2006 16,000 
			 February 2006 31,000 
			 March 2006 15,000 
			 Total 738,000 
			  Notes:  1. Pension credit was introduced from October 2003.  2. Data relate to the number of successful calls the Pension Service made by telephone, in order to discuss eligibility for pension credit with the customer.  3. A successful call is when the Pension Service has been able to get in touch with the customer by telephone.  4. Data are rounded to the nearest thousand.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners were living in relative poverty in  (a) 1996-97,  (b) 2003-04,  (c) 2004-05 and  (d) 2005-06; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: The seventh annual 'Opportunity for all' report (Cm 6673) sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and reports progress against a range of indicators.
	Specific information regarding relative low income for pensioners is available in the latest publication of the 'Households Below Average Income 1994/95—2004/05'. The threshold of below 60 per cent. of relative or contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income.
	Figures for 1996-97, 2003-04 and 2004-05, the latest year for which figures are available, showing the number of pensioners living in households with incomes below 60 per cent. of the contemporary median, are in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of pensioners living in contemporary low-income households 
			   Before housing costs (million)  After housing costs (million) 
			 1996-97 2.2 2.8 
			 2003-04 2.2 2.0 
			 2004-05 2.0 1.8 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are for Great Britain.  2. Results from Households Below Average Incomes publication.  3. Figures show the number and proportion of pensioners in households below 60 per cent. of median net income (after direct taxes including council tax).  4. Pensioners are all females aged 60 years or over, and all males aged 65 years or over.  Source:  Family Resources Survey.

Pensions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps the Government are taking to ensure that more women receive a full basic state pension in the future.

James Purnell: On 2 November the Government published the report, "Women and pensions: The evidence". The report shows that today, only around 30 per cent. of women reaching state pension age (SPA) are entitled to a full basic state pension. However, women's basic state pension records are continuing to improve with the combined effect of increased labour market participation and home responsibilities protection.
	We know that more needs to be done. The Pensions Commission has provided the right framework for debate and will help build consensus for delivering a long-term settlement for tomorrow's pensioners, in particular, one that is fairer for women. We will bring forward our proposals in a White Paper which will be published by the end of the month.

Pensions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in each London borough receive the full basic state pension.

James Purnell: The number of state pension recipients who receive the full basic state pension in each London borough as at September 2005 is in the following table:
	
		
			  London borough  Number 
			 Barking and Dagenham 15,200 
			 Barnet 25,300 
			 Bexley 24,300 
			 Brent 11,400 
			 Bromley 36,400 
			 Camden 10,200 
			 City of London 600 
			 Croydon 26,200 
			 Ealing 16,900 
			 Enfield 23,100 
			 Greenwich 17,700 
			 Hackney 6,900 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 8,700 
			 Haringey 10,000 
			 Harrow 16,800 
			 Havering 28,300 
			 Hillingdon 21,800 
			 Hounslow 14,000 
			 Islington 9,100 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 7,500 
			 Kingston upon Thames 12,200 
			 Lambeth 11,300 
			 Lewisham 16,700 
			 Merton 14,500 
			 Newham 10,000 
			 Redbridge 19,900 
			 Richmond upon Thames 15,700 
			 Southwark 13,300 
			 Sutton 18,600 
			 Tower Hamlets 8,000 
			 Waltham Forest 16,200 
			 Wandsworth 15,200 
			 Westminster 10,500 
			  Notes:  1. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 100.  2. Numbers are based on a 5 per cent. sample, and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.  3. A basic state pension is paid to those who fully or partially satisfy the contribution conditions for a category A or category B pension.  4. The full basic state pension as at September 2005 was £82.05 per week.  5. Local authorities are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant Office for National Statistics postcode directory.   Source:  DWP Information Directorate—5 per cent. sample.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Gender Equality

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is towards the proposed establishment of a European Institute for Gender Equality.

Meg Munn: I have been asked to reply.
	It is important that the institute offers value for money, that it does not duplicate existing bodies and that it adds value to ensure that it will be as efficient and effective as possible. We strongly believe that the new institute must work together with the Fundamental Rights Agency rather than seek to replicate it, and in doing so aim to be budget-neutral.

TV Licences

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he had with the BBC prior to its decision to discontinue the Post Office contract to supply TV licences.

Jim Fitzpatrick: None. The decision to discontinue the Post Office contract to supply TV licences was a commercial one made by the BBC, following a competitive tender exercise.

TV Licences

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on post offices of the decision to end the contract for post offices to supply TV licences.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The supply of TV Licences through post offices was governed by a commercial contract between Post Office Ltd. and the BBC. The impact of the decision not to renew the contract is an operational matter for the company. I have asked Alan Cook, the Managing Director of Post Office Ltd, to reply direct to the hon. Member.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Arts Council

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how long each member of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland has been in post.

Maria Eagle: All of the Arts Council members have been in post since July 2003 with the exception of Mr. Martin Bradley who has served as a member since 1996. Mr. Bradley was subsequently appointed vice-chair to the Council in July 2003 through open competition.

Child Poverty

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many children in Northern Ireland were living in poverty in  (a) 1995 and  (b) 2005.

David Hanson: Defining poverty as households whose income is less than 60 per cent. of the median household income, the reports on households below average income in Northern Ireland indicate that there were 101,000 children in poverty in 2004-05 compared with 108,000 in 2003-04 and 113,000 in 2002-03, the only years for which data is available. Copies of these reports will be placed in the House of Commons Library.
	The Government are committed to eradicating child poverty throughout the UK by 2020. In line with this, we have set targets to reduce by half in Northern Ireland the number of children living in poverty between 1998-99 and 2010-11 on the way to eradicating child poverty by 2020.
	To that end, Government target significant resources at tackling child poverty in Northern Ireland. For example, working tax credit and child tax credit both provide financial assistance for working families on low incomes. In addition, working tax credits also provide help for child care benefiting around 11,000 families with an average of around £58 per week.
	In addition, the Government are placing significant emphasis on initiatives that focus on the early years of life, such as Sure Start and Book Start and the Pre-School Education Expansion programme. Building on these initiatives, the Northern Ireland Priorities and Budget 2006-08, launched on 14 December 2005, established two new ring-fenced priority funding packages—the Children and Young People and Skills and Science Funds.
	The Children and Young People's Fund announced in March 2006 and the Skills and Science Fund announced in February 2006 and worth around £100 million and £35 million respectively over the next two years, will play an important role in giving children the best start in life and tackling child poverty.

Civic Forum

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost was of the Northern Ireland Civic Forum in each year since it was created.

David Hanson: The total cost of the Northern Ireland Civic Forum in each year since it was created is as follows:
	
		
			   Cost (£) 
			 2000-01 145,000 
			 2001-02 450,000 
			 2002-03 328,000 
			 2003-04 128,000 
			 2004-05 1,000 
		
	
	Expenditure in 2003-04 and 2004-05 relates to the payment of expenses incurred prior to suspension, though not claimed until afterwards.
	A cost is not yet available for the year 2005-06.

Departmental Expenditure

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent on advertising by  (a) each department in Northern Ireland and  (b) the Northern Ireland Office in each of the last three years.

David Hanson: The following amounts were spent on advertising in  (a) each of the Northern Ireland departments and  (b) the Northern Ireland Office, in 2003-04 and 2004-05:
	
		
			  Department  Expenditure(£) 
			   2003-04  2004-05 
			 Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister 324,053 191,800 
			 Agriculture and Rural Development 371,573 371,227 
			 Culture, Arts and Leisure 24,758 11,517 
			 Education 80,266 73,137 
			 Employment and Learning 149,2l0 498,570 
			 Enterprise, Trade and Investment 154,656 88,420 
			 Environment 977,821 280,789 
			 Finance and Personnel 298,260 347,494 
			 Health, Social Services and Public Safety 355,141 1,333,024 
			 Regional Development 24,282 22,364 
			 Social Development 107,793 2,919 
			 Totals 2,867,813 3,221,261 
			
			 Northern Ireland Office 192,978 279,697 
			 Grand Totals 3,060,791 3,500,958 
		
	
	These figures are compiled using the total media spend for all forms of advertising.
	The figures requested for the remaining year have not yet been completed and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whom is conducting the recently announced review of senior Northern Ireland civil servants' travelling expenses; what the terms of reference of the review are; what stage the review has reached; what discussions the review team have had with senior civil servants as part of the review.

David Hanson: I am not aware of any recently announced review of senior civil servants' travelling expenses.
	The Department of Finance and Personnel has been conducting a routine policy review of the Travel and Subsistence policy for all NI civil servants in the 11 Departments, as set out in the Travel and Subsistence Part of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Staff handbook, with the following terms of reference:
	"to examine the existing regulations and make recommendations for improvements in the Staff Handbook to ensure a consistency of approach by Departments. The review will also consider the various existing mileage, subsistence and removal rate's and determine where there is a need to update these."
	Following consultation with the 11 NI Government Departments each of the four chapters of the Travel and Subsistence Part of the NICS Staff Handbook have now been re-drafted and, in accordance with normal industrial relations practice, will be issued to the civil service unions for consultation in the near future. There have been no discussions with senior civil servants as part of the review.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been medically retired in  (a) each department in Northern Ireland and  (b) the Northern Ireland Office in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: The following table details the number of staff medically retired by employing departments in Northern Ireland in each of the last five financial years.
	Information on Agencies sponsored by Departments is included with their Department unless separately identified.
	Figures relating to the Northern Ireland Office include both the members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and Home Civil Servants working in that Department.
	
		
			   Ill-health retirements 
			  Department/agency  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Department of Education 6 5 3 5 5 
			 Department of Finance and Personnel 15 16 12 14 15 
			 Department of the Environment 41 11 13 51 48 
			 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development 22 27 22 26 30 
			 Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety 4 11 8 59  
			 Child Support Agency 5 3 8 6 5 
			 Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure 1 5 0 2 1 
			 Department for Regional Development 9 50 44 25 15 
			 OFM and DFM 31 5 1 1  
			 Department for Social Development 3 3 3 6 3 
			 Department of Enterprise, Trade and Industry 1 2 3 1 2 
			 Department of Learning 3 11 6 12 9 
			 Social Security Agency 20 42 42 37 32 
			 Northern Ireland Office 5 6 6 2 6 
			 NI Prisons 15 29 32 34 19 
			 Totals 153 222 207 227 200

Global Point Newtownabbey

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to announce commencement of work on Global Point Newtownabbey.

Maria Eagle: The announcement of commencement of work at Global Point is dependent on the findings of the Public Inquiry into the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP). The Plan is a material consideration in determining current planning applications for Global Point. No decision has yet been reached in respect of the proposals.
	The Department of the Environment has formally written to the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) requesting a Public Inquiry into BMAP. Following acceptance of the request the organisational arrangements for the Public Inquiry will become the responsibility of the PAC.

Intertrade Ireland

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the answer of 18 April 2006,  Official Report, column 489W, on Intertrade Ireland, what affirmative action measures have been approved by Intertrade Ireland.

Maria Eagle: Affirmative action measures, suggested by the Equality Commission and approved and adopted by Intertrade Ireland are (i) the placement of job advertisements in newspapers read by the Protestant community, (ii) the inclusion of a statement in job advertisements specifically welcoming applications from that community and (iii) the circulation of job vacancies throughout Job Clubs and community organisations.

Irish Hare

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for North Down of 27 January 2006 on the protection of the Irish hare.

David Cairns: I am advised by the Department of the Environment that, unfortunately, it has no record of receiving the letter to which the hon. Member refers. However, if the hon. Member provides a copy of her letter, the Department will respond to the issues she wishes to raise.

Male Health

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many clinics and other healthcare providers in Northern Ireland promote male health and early detection of health problems particularly encountered by men.

Paul Goggins: Information is not available in the form requested. However, health care providers promote male health in a number of ways, for example some GPs run "Well Men" clinics, which cover general health issues including male cancers such as testicular and prostate. Other examples include holistic clinics at farmers markets, special awareness days aimed at men and men's health evenings where male-specific health issues are covered.

Mixed Sex Wards

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which hospitals in Northern Ireland operated mixed sex wards in March  (a) 2000 and  (b) 2005.

Paul Goggins: The following table shows which hospitals in Northern Ireland operated mixed sex wards in  (a) March 2000 and  (b) March 2005.
	
		
			   Did the hospital operate mixed sex wards in: 
			  Trust/hospital  (a) March 2000  (b) March 2005 
			  Craigavon Area   
			 Craigavon Area Yes Yes 
			 Lurgan Yes Yes 
			 South Tyrone Yes Yes 
			
			  Down Lisburn   
			 Lagan Valley Yes Yes 
			 Downe Yes Yes 
			 Downshire Yes Yes 
			 Lagan Valley PNU Yes Yes 
			 Thompson House Yes Yes 
			
			  Sperrin Lakeland   
			 Tyrone County Yes Yes 
			 Erne Yes Yes 
			 Tyrone and Fermanagh Yes Yes 
			
			  Newry and Mourne   
			 Daisy Hill Yes Yes 
			
			  Greenpark   
			 Forster Green Yes Yes 
			 Musgrave Yes Yes 
			 Forest Lodge Yes Yes 
			
			  Ulster Community   
			 Ards Yes Yes 
			 Bangor Yes Yes 
			 Ulster Yes Yes 
			
			  Armagh and Dungannon   
			 Mullinure Hospital No No 
			 Longstone Yes Yes 
			 St. Luke's Yes Yes 
			
			  Homefirst   
			 Holywell Yes Yes 
			 Whiteabbey PNU Yes Yes 
			
			  N and W Belfast   
			 Muckamore Abbey Yes Yes 
			
			  Foyle   
			 Gransha Yes Yes 
			 Waterside Yes Yes 
			 Stradreagh (now Lakeview) Yes Yes 
			
			  Royal Group   
			 Royal Victoria Yes Yes 
			 RBHSC Yes Yes 
			
			  Causeway   
			 Causeway (inc Ross Thomson Unit) Yes Yes 
			 Dalriada No No 
			 Robinson Hospital No No 
			
			  Craigavon and Banbridge   
			 Craigavon PNU Yes Yes 
			
			  S and E   
			 Knockbracken Yes Yes 
			 Young Peoples Centre Yes Yes 
			 Shaftesbury Square No No 
			
			  Belfast City   
			 Belfast City Hospital Yes Yes 
			 Belvoir Park NICCO Yes Yes 
			 Windsor House Yes Yes 
			
			  Altnagelvin   
			 Altnagelvin Hospital Yes Yes 
			 Waterside (Ward 5) Yes Yes 
			
			  Mater   
			 Mater Hospital Yes Yes 
			
			  United Hospitals   
			 Antrim Yes Yes 
			 Braid Valley Yes Yes 
			 Mid Ulster Yes Yes 
			 Moyle Yes Yes 
			 Whiteabbey Yes Yes 
			  Source:  Health and Social Services Trusts 
		
	
	Many trusts stated that where a mixed sex ward was in operation, within such a ward, patients were cared for in single sex bays. Bays would only be mixed sex in exceptional circumstances such as intensive care unit/high dependency unit beds or to allow a patient to be admitted to a ward rather than wait on a trolley in accident and emergency. In such cases, patients would be moved to a suitable bed as soon as practically possible.

Physiotherapists

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many newly-qualified physiotherapy graduates have been employed in each of the health board areas as junior physiotherapists in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is not available.
	Not all trusts were able to separately identify newly-qualified junior physiotherapist appointments from other appointments to this grade. The number of junior physiotherapists joining trusts within each health board area in each of the last five years, including some staff who will not have been newly-qualified, is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of junior physiotherapists joining trusts within each of the health board areas in the last five years 
			  Board area  Headcount  Whole-time equivalent 
			  2001   
			 Eastern 39 38.58 
			 Northern n/a n/a 
			 Western 8 8.00 
			 Southern 15 15.00 
			 Total 66 65.58 
			
			  2002   
			 Eastern 44 44.00 
			 Northern 25 24.00 
			 Western 2 2.00 
			 Southern 15 15.00 
			 Total 86 85.00 
			
			  2003   
			 Eastern 57 56.77 
			 Northern 38 38.00 
			 Western 7 7.00 
			 Southern 14 14.00 
			 Total 116 115.77 
			
			  2004   
			 Eastern 57 57.00 
			 Northern 20 19.33 
			 Western 8 8.00 
			 Southern 18 18.00 
			 Total 103 102.33 
			
			  2005   
			 Eastern 50 50.00 
			 Northern 15 15.00 
			 Western 8 7.80 
			 Southern 13 12.70 
			 Total 86 85.50 
			  Notes:  1. The figures detailed above do not represent all junior physiotherapists joining the NI HPSS during the period but will include all newly-qualified graduates, some graduates qualified in previous years who had been unable to obtain a post at the time of qualifying, some returning to work following a career break or some returning to the NI HPSS after working elsewhere.  2. The figures include both permanent and temporary appointments.   Source: HPSS trusts' figures for junior physiotherapists joining Mater Hospital HSS Trust within the Eastern Board area, were extracted from the centrally held HRMS database.

Planning

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many planning applications were received by the divisional planning office of each borough and district council in Northern Ireland in  (a) the month preceding 16 March and  (b) each of the preceding three months.

David Cairns: The following table details the total number of planning applications received by the Planning Service for each Northern Ireland borough and district council area for each month between November 2005 and February 2006.
	
		
			  District council area  November 2005  December 2005  January 2006  February 2006 
			 Antrim 96 75 80 99 
			 Ards 101 88 71 96 
			 Armagh 87 99 109 115 
			 Ballymena 108 90 82 105 
			 Ballymoney 64 51 49 61 
			 Banbridge 100 95 114 113 
			 Belfast 192 169 198 180 
			 Carrickfergus 32 19 11 23 
			 Castlereagh 46 38 41 39 
			 Coleraine 100 98 90 110 
			 Cookstown 109 71 86 174 
			 Craigavon 87 81 86 83 
			 Derry 74 85 78 88 
			 Down 110 89 102 95 
			 Dungannon 143 142 171 390 
			 Fermanagh 184 203 188 334 
			 Larne 44 31 32 32 
			 Limavady 61 64 39 46 
			 Lisburn 103 121 96 106 
			 Magherafelt 85 106 88 86 
			 Moyle 38 37 34 29 
			 Newry and Mourne 234 245 250 258 
			 Newtownabbey 61 50 37 38 
			 North Down 62 73 58 72 
			 Omagh 129 132 111 296 
			 Strabane 129 59 98 100 
			 Planning Service total 2,579 2,411 2,399 3,168

Roe Valley and Sperrins

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what publicly-funded modernised facilities are available for those using travelling caravans and campers to holiday in the Roe Valley and Sperrins.

Maria Eagle: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has provided financial assistance to two sites with facilities for touring caravans and campers in the Roe Valley and Sperrins areas, namely Benone Camping and Caravanning Tourist complex and the Six Towns Cross Community Group's Touring Caravan and Camping site in Draperstown.

School Building Programme

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the reasons are for the delay in the proposed building work at St. Joseph's high school, Crossmaglen; and when he expects work  (a) to commence and  (b) to be completed.

Maria Eagle: A feasibility study for a major capital scheme at St. Joseph's high school, Crossmaglen was submitted to the Department of Education by the school's Design Team in March 2006 and is currently under consideration. The feasibility study informs the Economic Appraisal which will be completed by the Department. St. Joseph's High School will not be in a position to compete for capital funding until the Economic Appraisal process is completed and the next phase of capital investment is being announced. No time scales have been set for this. Separate minor works to address security issues at the school are being addressed urgently and work is in progress to replace two mobile classrooms and upgrade existing sports facilities.

School Building Programme

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which schools are affected by the backlog in the school building programme; how many of these are involved in providing partnership initiative funding initiatives; and what steps he is taking to eliminate the backlog.

Maria Eagle: Over recent years, the funding made available by Government to the Department of Education for the schools estate has increased substantially. The Department, in conjunction with its education partners, has 146 major capital schemes under development. The Department is using both conventional and public-private partnership (PPP) procurement routes to deliver those projects. With such a high volume of projects in planning, delays have been encountered in some projects, both under conventional and PPP procurement, due to site issues, uncertainty over long-term enrolments and advancing policy in the area of PPP procurement. The Department is currently working with school authorities to expedite progress and overcome the delays experienced.
	Details of those projects that have been delayed, together with their procurement route and the reason for delay, are shown on the following tables.
	
		
			  Details of conventional capital projects that have been delayed 
			  Project  Announced  Reason for delay 
			 St. Clares/St. Colman's Primary Schools, Newry 2000 Problems with acquiring a suitable site and issues with Roads Service, together with a review and reduction of the long-term enrolment (LTE) figure have caused delays in the project. 
			 St. Eugene's Primary School, Londonderry 2002 Difficulty in finding a suitable site to decant to while extension/refurbishment works are ongoing has caused delay. 
			 Drumragh Integrated College, Omagh 2002 Problems in satisfying the Planning Service and Roads Service requirements has resulted in the need to purchase third party land to provide acceptable site lines. This has caused delay in progressing the scheme. 
			 East Lisburn Primary Schools 2003 Site acquisition and Planning Service/Roads Service issues have caused delay. 
			 Suffolk Primary School, Belfast 2003 The initial plans for the new school were to an incorrect specification. The enrolments at the school have fallen and as a result the requirements of the scheme have to be reviewed. 
			 St. Teresa's Primary School, Lurgan 2003 Difficulties in acquiring a site have caused delay. 
			 St. Joseph's Primary School, Newry 2003 Planning has been suspended while the enrolment position is reviewed. 
			 St. Patrick's Primary School, Saul 2003 Difficulty in obtaining Planning Office and Roads Service approval. 
			 Holy Family Primary School, Magherafelt 2003 Issues relating to the site and appropriate positioning of school on site have caused delay. 
		
	
	
		
			  Details of PPP projects that have been delayed 
			  Project  Announced  Reason for delay 
			 Holy Cross College, Strabane 2001 The need to review and agree an appropriate long-term enrolment (LTE) caused delay. Further delay was caused while a decision on the treatment of ancillary services (such as cleaning) was awaited. The Secretary of State has now decided that cleaning services should be excluded from the contract and remain with the public sector. The Department is currently considering representation from the Trustees concerning the removal of cleaning from the contract. 
			 Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College 2001 The need to review and agree an appropriate LTE caused delay. Further delay was caused while a decision on the treatment of ancillary services (such as cleaning) was awaited. The Secretary of State has now decided that cleaning services should be excluded from the contract and remain with the public sector. The Department is currently considering representations from school authorities concerning the removal of cleaning from the contract. 
			 Derry Diocesan PPP Project 2001 Problems in acquiring a suitable site for one of the schools, and achieving agreement on the use of that site, caused delay. This has now been overcome and the project is at Invitation to Negotiate(1) stage. 
			 Coleraine College 2001 The removal of schools from the project due to falling enrolments and the need for the North Eastern education and library board to examine the overall requirement for secondary provision in the area has caused delay. 
			 Lagan College/Tor Bank Special School 2002 Problems in agreeing a lease with the National Trust (Lagan College occupies a NT site) on the use and maintenance of the site have caused delay. These problems have now been overcome and the project is at Invitation to Negotiate(1) stage. 
			 Down and Connor/De La Salle PPP Project 2002 Change in the scope of the project for two of the schools involved from extension refurbishment to new build has caused delay. This has now been resolved and the project is at Invitation to Negotiate(1) stage. 
			 Belfast Strategic Partnering Project 2003 A change in the scope of the project and the need to redraft project documentation to take account of new procurement methods has caused delay. This project is now at Invitation to Negotiate(1) stage. 
			 (1) Invitation to Negotiate is a stage in the procurement procedure under which the client invites a selected number of tenderers to negotiate the terms of a public-private partnerships contract.

Section 106 Agreements

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what form of  (a) planning gain and  (b) Section 106 Agreements operate in Northern Ireland.

David Cairns: There are no specific planning gain provisions in place in Northern Ireland. However, Article 40 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 (as substituted by the Planning (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003) provides similar powers to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which applies to England and Wales. Article 40 enables the Department to enter into planning agreements with any person who has an estate in land for the purposes of:-
	"facilitating, or restricting the development or use of land in any specified way;
	requiring specified operations or activities to be carried out in, on, under or over land;
	requiring the land to be used in any specific way (either indefinitely or for a period as may be specified); or
	requiring a sum or sums to be paid to the Department on a specified day, date or periodically.
	"

Special Advisers

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 25 April 2006,  Official Report, column 1043W, on special advisers, what the grade is of each of the two special advisers employed as temporary civil servants within his Department; and whether the posts they hold were advertised.

Peter Hain: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Prime Minister's written ministerial statement on special advisers of Thursday 21 July 2005. This statement gave details of the pay bands for the special advisers. These appointments were carried out in accordance with the ministerial code.

Temporary Classrooms

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in the East Londonderry constituency are using temporary classroom accommodation.

Maria Eagle: As at 31 March 2006 there were 31 primary and seven secondary schools in the East Londonderry constituency using temporary accommodation.

Tor Bank Special School

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the summer scheme at Tor Bank Special School in Dundonald will take place in 2006.

Maria Eagle: The South-Eastern Education and Library Board, at a meeting in March 2006, agreed that the 2006 Summer Activity Scheme for pupils with severe learning difficulties would proceed. The Board, however, having agreed its budget for 2006-07, is now considering a series of proposals to live within that budget. One of the proposals is to stop the Summer Activity Scheme.
	The Board's Education Committee will reconvene on 22 May 2006 to consider the proposals. Board officers are currently engaged in making provisional arrangements for the scheme to run this summer, subject to the decision of the Board.

Unspent Budget

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the budget for  (a) each department in Northern Ireland and  (b) the Northern Ireland Office remained unspent in the 2005-06 financial year.

David Hanson: Details of expenditure for 2005-06 relating to  (a) Northern Ireland departments and  (b) the Northern Ireland Office are not yet available. Information on performance against budget will be available in June of this year once provisional outturn data has been received and analysed. This information will be placed in the Library when available.

Valuation and Lands Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library a copy of the revised "Health and Safety in the Field" policy document produced by the Valuation and Lands Agency.

David Hanson: The Valuation and Lands Agency has recently revised its "Health and Safety in the Field" policy. This document was placed in the Library in early May 2006, in response to an earlier PQ.

Valuation and Lands Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Valuation and Lands Agency's domestic rates Automated Valuation Model uses  (a) a location factor or factors in its multiple regression analysis and  (b) geo-spatial statistical analysis in Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal.

David Hanson: The answer to both  (a) and  (b) is "yes". The location factor is derived from analysis of sales using the multiple regression technique and is calibrated at neighbourhood level.

Valuation and Lands Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Valuation and Lands Agency's domestic rates Automated Valuation Model  (a) uses and  (b) holds data on (i) local authority ward boundaries and (ii) numbers of criminal offences committed in each area.

David Hanson: The Automated Valuation Model used by VLA is a CAMA (Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal) system comprising SPSS/Spatialest/GIS. The Agency's Automated Valuation Model uses and holds data on local authority ward boundaries. It does not use and hold data on numbers of criminal convictions committed in each area.

Valuation and Lands Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the conferences to be held overseas which Valuation and Lands Agency staff will attend in the next 12 months.

David Hanson: Valuation and Lands Agency (VLA) staff will attend the following conferences overseas during the next 12 months:
	International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) Conference in USA.
	The IAAO is the lead professional organisation for those involved in property tax assessment. The Chief Executive of VLA has agreed to speak at this conference.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcohol-free Zones

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to extend alcohol-free zones.

Liam Byrne: The Government are working with local authorities to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence by sharing good practice. Designated Public Place Orders (DPPOs) have been part of this good practice. The benefits of a DPPO have been highlighted in publications such as "Lessons Learned from the summer 2004 Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign". They continue to be highlighted both on the "Together Tackling Antisocial behaviour" website and on the DPPO website. To date around 170 authorities have adopted the power to introduce a DPPO, with around 360 orders published.

Animal Rights Terrorists

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking  (a) in co-operation with the Department for Trade and Industry and  (b) otherwise to detain animal rights terrorists who use shareholder registers to threaten individual shareholders.

Vernon Coaker: We have a clear cross-departmental strategy working with DTI and other Government Departments to put an end to the animal rights extremist threat and protect those targeted by it. We have introduced tough new legislation, supported the appointment of a dedicated senior police officer as national co-ordinator for domestic extremism and provided additional resources for the police to tackle the problem nationally. These steps have led to an increase in arrests, a reduction in incidents and a number of successful prosecutions which have seen leading activists receive lengthy custodial sentences.
	We are looking at what more can be done. The Company Law Reform Bill already proposes protection for members by providing that companies do not have to release details of their registers of shareholders if a court is satisfied that the information requested is not being sought for a proper purpose. Following recent attempts to defraud or intimidate members of a number of leading companies, we are looking at what measures can be taken to strengthen shareholder protection further in the Bill. We also intend to consult on how to stop malicious applicants from getting members' details through Companies House rather than from the company.

Antisocial Behaviour

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he plans to take to publicise action taken to tackle antisocial behaviour to members of the public in Kingston-upon-Hull, North.

Liam Byrne: Kingston-upon-Hull is one of the Government's Action Areas, committed to tackling antisocial behaviour. The council, Humberside police and their partners have worked together to promote initiatives to tackle alcohol-related disorder, nuisance vehicles and to promote It's Your Call, a dedicated phone line for the community to report and receive feedback on action taken to prevent and tackle antisocial behaviour.
	The Respect Action Plan sets out our intention to do more to empower local communities to challenge and tackle antisocial behaviour by making services more responsive and accountable to local priorities. We will ensure effective dialogue between local people and services by introducing regular and systematic "face the people" briefing sessions, involving senior representation from the police and local authorities. The Community Call for Action will make it easier for the public to hold services to account where they fail to deliver.

Antisocial Behaviour

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many breaches of antisocial behaviour orders came to court in 2005-06; and what the average time was between the offence being committed and a court hearing taking place.

Liam Byrne: Antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) breach data only cover breach proceedings where there has been a conviction and are currently available from 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2003 for ASBOs issued since 1 June 2000. Information is not available on the amount of time taken from an offence being committed to a conviction for breach of ASBO.

Antisocial Behaviour

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the use of antisocial behaviour orders to tackle the abuse of shopworkers; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: We have not received any such representations. However antisocial behaviour orders have been used in a number of local areas to combat antisocial behaviour in retail environments.
	Workers serving the public have the right to work without fear of being attacked or harassed. The Respect Action Plan sets out programmes to promote a two-way respect between workers serving the public and the individuals and communities to whom they provide a service.

Arson

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of arson there have been in Suffolk in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: The requested information is given in the table.
	
		
			  Recorded offences of arson in Suffolk police force area 
			   Number of arson offences 
			 1997 236 
			 1998-99(1) 238 
			 1999-2000 372 
			 2000-01 542 
			 2001-02 696 
			 2002-03(2) 551 
			 2003-04 656 
			 2004-05 571 
			 (1 )Numbers affected by changes in the counting rules and expanded coverage of recorded crime.  (2) Numbers affected by the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standards which came into effect in 2002-03.   Note:  Data not comparable with earlier years.

Asylum Seekers

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been refused National Asylum Support Service support because their illness was not deemed to prevent travel in the last 12 months; and how many of these  (a) were at risk from a recurrence of tuberculosis,  (b) were pregnant,  (c) had children under a year old and  (d) had a mental health condition.

John Reid: If an asylum seeker is offered accommodation from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) and fails to travel to the allocated accommodation claiming medical grounds as a reason for failing to travel, NASS caseworkers take advice from the NASS medical adviser, a practising GP, about whether the ailment would have prevented the applicant from travelling. They will take account of this advice alongside any other circumstance that may have prevented the applicant from travelling on that occasion, before deciding whether the explanation was reasonable.
	When NASS considers that the applicant's explanation for not travelling is unsatisfactory, caseworkers issue a warning letter and rearrange travel. When the applicant fails to travel on a subsequent occasion, without a valid reason, their support is suspended until they agree to travel to their allotted accommodation. At no stage is support permanently withdrawn.
	NASS does not keep records of the numbers of supported asylum seekers who fail to travel citing medical grounds. It does not refuse to support asylum seekers who fail to travel to allocated accommodation, but keeps it available to them at the allocated accommodation. This approach is set out in NASS's published Policy Bulletin 17 which can be downloaded from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) Home Office website.

Asylum Seekers

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of asylum seekers have  (a) failed to return voluntarily and  (b) not been removed within six months of the final refusal of their applications in the last 12 months.

John Reid: No accurate management information exists on the numbers of applicants who have failed to return voluntarily. Information on asylum seekers is published every quarter.

Asylum Seekers

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of failed asylum seekers refused to make a declaration agreeing to co-operate in their voluntary return in the last 12 months.

John Reid: We do not centrally record this information.

Asylum Seekers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers have been returned to  (a) Eritrea,  (b) Ethiopia,  (c) Sudan,  (d) Democratic Republic of Congo,  (e) Cote d'Ivoire,  (f) Chad,  (g) Somalia,  (h) Liberia, (i) Central African Republic,  (j) Burundi,  (k) Sierra Leone,  (l) Uganda,  (m) Nigeria and  (n) Angola in the last 12 months; how many of these returns were (A) voluntary and (B) enforced; and what mechanisms are in place to monitor the welfare of returned asylum seekers.

Tony McNulty: The accompanying tables show the number of returns to the specified countries during 2005, broken down by voluntary and enforced removals, and by principal and dependant applicants.
	We do not routinely monitor the return of individual failed asylum seekers and others who are removed from the UK. The asylum decision-making and independent appeals processes exist to ensure that those who are at risk of persecution or serious mistreatment in their country of origin will not be removed there. However, if specific allegations are made that any returnee has experienced ill treatment on return from the UK, these will be followed up through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as a matter of urgency.
	Published statistics on immigration and asylum are available on the Home Office's Research and Development and Statistics website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html
	
		
			  Removals and voluntary departures( 1 ) of asylum applicants, returned to Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Democratic Republic, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, 2005( 2,p) 
			  Number of asylum seekers 
			   Total  Of whom: 
			  Destination   Principal applicants( 3)  Dependants of asylum applicants 
			 Angola
			 Total asylum applicants removed 165 120 45 
			 of whom: persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programme 40 30 10 
			 of whom: persons removed as a result of enforcement action(5,6) 125 85 35 
			 Burundi
			 Total asylum applicants removed 20 15 5 
			 of whom: persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programme 15 * — 
			 of whom: persons removed as a result of enforcement action(5,6) * 10 5 
			 Central African Republic
			 Total asylum applicants removed * * — 
			 of whom: persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programme — — — 
			 of whom: persons removed as a result of enforcement action(5,6) * * — 
			 Chad
			 Total asylum applicants removed 20 20 — 
			 of whom: persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programme 5 5 — 
			 of whom: persons removed as a result of enforcement action(5,6) 15 15 — 
			 Congo Democratic Republic
			 Total asylum applicants removed 40 40 * 
			 of whom: persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programme 5 5 — 
			 of whom: persons removed as a result of enforcement action(5,6) 35 35 * 
			 Eritrea
			 Total asylum applicants removed * * — 
			 of whom: persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programme — — — 
			 of whom: persons removed as a result of enforcement action(5,6) * * — 
			 Ethiopia
			 Total asylum applicants removed 40 40 * 
			 of whom: persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programme 15 15 * 
			 of whom: persons removed as a result of enforcement action(5,6) 25 25 — 
			 (1)Includes persons departing Voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, those who it is established have left the UK without informing the Immigration Authorities.  (2)Figures rounded to the nearest five, with — = 0, * = 1 or 2, and may not sum due to rounding.  (3)Persons who had sought asylum at some stage, excluding dependants.  (4)Persons leaving under Voluntary Assisted Return Programmes run by the International Organization for Migration. May include some on-entry cases and some cases where enforcement action has been initiated.  (5)Including persons departing Voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated against them, and those whom it is established have left the UK without informing the Immigration Authorities.  (6)Excludes Assisted Voluntary Returns.  (p)Provisional figures.

Bruche Police Training Centre

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to ensure that Centrex co-operates with  (a) the local authority and  (b) local residents when planning the future use of the site of the Bruche police training centre.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 24 April 2006
	The Bruche site will continue to be used as a police training centre up until 26 May this year. The situation remains that there are no options as to future use on which to consult locally yet. Any such options will be determined largely by who takes an interest in purchasing the site when it is put onto the market. The Home Office continues to work closely with Centrex on that process and, once options begin to emerge, we will be in a position to engage with local people over the future use of the site. The Centrex estates and facilities management team, along with staff working on behalf of my Department, have already begun preliminary discussions with local planning authorities around all three Centrex sites that are closing and will be focusing more effort on these discussions over the coming months.
	Any change in the use of sites will, of course, require planning permission and the local authority will then need to involve residents in consultation over their decisions on any applications that are made. We welcome the involvement, in all such discussionsand consultations, of members representing those communities that are affected by the closure of Centrex sites.

Bruche Police Training Centre

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 2 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1405W, on Bruche police training centre, what discussions his Department has had with Centrex on the future use of the Bruche police training centre; when these discussions took place; and whether any companies have expressed an interest in purchasing the site.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 8 May 2006
	As the sponsor department for Centrex, dialogue is, of course, ongoing between the Home Office and Centrex in relation to the disposal of the police training centre at Bruche. However, as the property has not yet been put on the market, no clear options as to future use have yet emerged for discussion.

Cannabis

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reclassify the drug cannabis by moving it from Class C to Class B.

Vernon Coaker: No, cannabis will not be reclassified from a Class C to a Class B drug. On 19 January, the former Home Secretary announced in Parliament that he had considered very carefully the advice which he had asked for from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and on behalf of the Government had accepted the council's recommendation to keep the current classification of cannabis as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Capita Group

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much business his Department has placed with  (a) Capita Group plc and ( b) its subsidiaries in each of the last five years; what the total value is of outstanding contracts placed with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries by his Department; for which current tenders issued by his Department (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries have been invited to bid; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have seconded staff (1) temporarily and (2) on a longer-term basis to (X) his Department and (Y) its agencies.

Liam Byrne: The information on the total value of contracts held with the Capita group which is available for the last three financial years is as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2003-04 35,651,040 
			 2004-05 60,386,458 
			 2005-06 47,758,223 
		
	
	Information on 2001-02 and 2002-03 is not held centrally and to obtain this information would incur disproportionate cost.
	Information on contracts and participation in procurements by Capita and its subsidiaries is not held centrally and to obtain information on the value of outstanding contracts and current tenders would incur disproportionate cost.
	Information on seconded staff is not held centrally and to obtain this information would incur disproportionate cost.

Capita Group

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the value of contracts held by his Department with  (a) Capita plc and  (b) its subsidiaries was in the last three financial years.

Liam Byrne: The information on the total value of contracts held with the Capita group in the last three financial years is in the following table.
	
		
			  £ 
			 2003-04 35,651,040 
			 2004-05 60,386,458 
			 2005-06 47,758,223 
		
	
	Information on the individual value of contracts held by the Department with Capita plc and/or its subsidiaries is not held centrally and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.
	Similarly where a contract relates to spend in more than one year, we are unable to distinguish the proportion of spend applicable to each of the three years requested.

Capita Group

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many contracts his Department holds with  (a) Capita plc and  (b) its subsidiaries which still have a potential duration of five years or more.

Liam Byrne: This information is not held centrally and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

Careless Driving

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with  (a) police forces and  (b) campaign organisations on sentencing of those convicted of careless driving following incidents in which a person died.

Gerry Sutcliffe: In 2005, the Government published a consultation exercise entitled "A Review of Road Traffic Offences involving Bad Driving" which examined this issue. During that consultation, a number of interested parties including the police, judges and road safety groups were consulted. A full summary of responses is available in the Library. Proposals arising out of the consultation have been included in the current Road Safety Bill. These include a new offence of causing death by careless driving with a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.

Chip and PIN

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has given to retailers on the protection from fraud of customers using Chip and PIN technology; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer for 15 May 2006
	Chip and PIN is a finance and retail industry initiative introduced to help tackle counterfeit, lost and stolen card fraud. The Government have actively supported the introduction of Chip and PIN. I have not issued guidance to retailers on protection from fraud of customers using Chip and PIN technology but the banking industry makes available a large amount of fraud prevention advice to meet the needs of both merchants and cardholders.
	The impact of Chip and PIN has been seen in industry figures(1) published in March which show that in 2005 counterfeit fraud fell by 25 per cent. and fraud on lost or stolen cards fell by 22 per cent. compared to 2004.
	(1) APACS

Chip and PIN

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has regarding the incidence of Chip and PIN fraud; what steps he is taking to tackle such fraud; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: Chip and PIN is a finance and retail industry initiative introduced to help tackle counterfeit and lost and stolen card fraud. The Government have actively supported the introduction of Chip and PIN.
	We understand from APACS (the UK payment industry) that despite recent reports of fraud at a Chip and PIN outlet this is likely to be an isolated episode and does not signify a systematic failure of the Chip and PIN system.
	The incident is being investigated by the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit, a specialist police unit which investigates cheque and card fraud where there is a link to organised crime. Government money helped establish the unit, which is now fully funded by the banking industry and an excellent example of partnership working to tackle crime.

Community Support Officers

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police community support officers have been introduced in  (a) Kingston-upon-Hull North constituency,  (b) the Kingston-upon-Hull division and  (c) Humberside since the scheme began; and what assessment he has made of the impact of community support officers on crime and antisocial behaviour.

Liam Byrne: Information on the number of police community support officers (PCSOs) at basic command unit level is collected annually. At the end of June 2005 the Kingston-upon-Hull division had six police community support officers and the Humberside police had 20 PCSOs on 30 September 2005. The deployment of PCSOs within the Hull division is a matter for the divisional commander. Data is not collected below divisional level.
	"A National Evaluation of Community Support Officers"—Research Study No. 297, was published on 25 January. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library. PCSOs have been well received by the public. They are helping to restore respect in local communities by providing reassurance and tackling antisocial behaviour and low level crime.

Community Support Officers

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community support officers there are in the Avon and Somerset police force.

Liam Byrne: On 30 September 2005, there were 146 police community support officers (full-time equivalents) in Avon and Somerset.

Community Support Officers

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community support officers have been employed in  (a) Gwent,  (b) South Wales,  (c) Dyfed Powys and  (d) North Wales police forces since 1997.

Liam Byrne: The information requested on community support officers is only available from March 2003 onwards and is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  The number of community support officers (fte)( 1)  employed in each of the Welsh police force areas in 2003, 2004 and 2005 
			   March 2003  March 2004  March 2005  September 2005 
			 Dyfed Powys 0 5 25 24 
			 Gwent 30 45 77 81 
			 North Wales 0 0 46 61 
			 South Wales 0 59 107 116 
			 (1) This table contains full-time equivalent (including those staff on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave) figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding there may be apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of constituent items in this and other similar tables.

Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 21 February 2006 from the hon. Member for Walsall, North regarding a constituent, HO ref: B1077614 and B1057074 and M13862/5.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 8 May 2006
	I wrote to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North on 10 May 2006

Criminal Records Bureau

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people applying for positions within residential care and nursinghomes in  (a) Kingston upon Hull, North,  (b) the Humberside police area and  (c) England are awaiting clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau.

Liam Byrne: The information sought by my hon. Friend is not available. The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) is unable to provide information on Disclosure applications based on specific employment sectors and geographical areas.

Criminal Records Bureau

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to how many people the Criminal Records Bureau has not given clearance since it was established.

Joan Ryan: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) does not give clearance to work in a particular job or occupation. Neither does it make the decision on the suitability of applicants to undertake work following the issue of disclosures; this is solely a matter for the employer or licensing authority.
	The latest available figure shows that the CRB has issued 8,990,597 disclosures since its launch in 2002 and up to 31 March 2006.

Criminal Records Bureau

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an individual  (a) with multiple employment with children or vulnerable adults and  (b) who engages with children or vulnerable adults in a number of different vocational fields is required to undergo more than one Criminal Records Bureau check.

Joan Ryan: The disclosure process may include a check against section 142 of the Education Act 2002, the Protection of Children Act and Protection of Vulnerable Adults (PoCA and PoVA) lists. Legislation governing these lists, as set by the Department for Education and Skills and Department of Health, requires fresh checks of the lists for certain positions involving work with children and vulnerable adults, regardless of any previous existing checks. In such circumstances, employers must obtain a new CRB check regardless of any existing disclosures that an individual may hold.
	The overriding consideration must always be the safety of those whom the disclosure service is designed to protect and the employer, using a full range of pre-recruitment checks, is ultimately best placed to assess whether a new disclosure is required for a specific position, bearing in mind their legal and other responsibilities.

Departmental Child Care Facilities

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nursery and crèche places are provided for people working in his Department; what charges are made for the provision of such services; and what other facilities are provided for the children of employees of his Department.

Liam Byrne: The Home Office provides childcare support as part of a range of worklife balance benefits for staff and in order to promote diversity and equality of opportunity for all staff.
	As part of the provision, a limited number of subsidised workplace nursery and play scheme places are provided for staff in London, Croydon and on Merseyside. The following table sets out the nurseries and play schemes used, the cost to staff and the total annual cost of the subsidy provided by the Department.
	In addition the Home Office runs a Childcare Voucher salary sacrifice scheme. The scheme was introduced in June 2005 for Home Office staff with pilots being run for staff in the Prison Service and the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. The scheme provides more choice and flexibility for staff than the existing workplace nursery and playscheme provision and with the roll out to all Home Office, IND and Prison Service staff completed in April 2006 it provides more equitable support for staff in all areas of the Department.
	Currently, 102 Home Office staff and 173 Prison Service staff use the salary sacrifice scheme.
	Identity and Passport Service staff have access to a Childcare Voucher salary plus scheme, which provides them with vouchers to the value of £20 per week for pre- school children age 0-4 and £15 per week for after school and holiday care for children aged 5-12. Additionally-staff are able to use the salary sacrifice scheme to enable them to obtain the maximum benefit from the tax and national insurance exemption.
	Some 130 IPS staff currently benefit from the salary plus scheme, with 21 staff using the salary sacrifice scheme. The total cost to IPS in the last financial year was £110,500.
	
		
			  Workplace nursery places  Location  Number of places available  Number of places in use  Cost to staff of a full time nursery place (£)  Cost to the Home Office—total annual subsidy( 1)  (£) 
			 Buffer Bear Network Central London and the South East 32 18 123 67,014 
			 Sunbeam Nursery Croydon 71 56 89.00 103,000 
			 Early Days Nursery Liverpool 10 4 80.50 9,000 
		
	
	
		
			  Holiday playschemes  Location  Number of places available  Number of places in use (days)  Cost to staff of a place (daily rate) (£)  Cost to the Home Office—total annual subsidy (£) 
			 Westminster Holiday Playscheme Central London  (2)463 15 6,691 
			 Happy Hours Playscheme Crosby  (2)15 9.25 139 
			 Sunbeam Playscheme Croydon  (2)4,060 10.00 23,000 
			 (1) The value of the subsidy varies as it depends on the age of the child and the location of the nursery. The total cost of the annual subsidy for all the places used in the financial year 2005-06 has therefore been provided.  (2) As use of the playscheme varies the total number of days used by staff in the financial year 2005-06 has been provided.

Departmental Staff

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) women and  (b) men are employed in the Department; what the average pay was for (i) women and (ii) men in the Department in (A) 1997 and (B) 2006; what women's average pay is as a percentage of men's average pay; and how many (1) women and (2) men the Department employed in each of the last five years, broken down by grade.

Liam Byrne: The data requested is too detailed to be provided in answer format so I have arranged for the information to be placed in the Library.

Departmental Staff

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time equivalent staff are being transferred from his Department to the new Department for Communities and Local Government.

Liam Byrne: The number of full-time equivalent staff being transferred is being negotiated between the two Departments concerned. Machinery of Government changes on this scale are a serious matter and require careful planning. Once the negotiations are complete and the figures known, I will place the information requested into the House Library.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of his private office staff are  (a) male,  (b) female and  (c) disabled.

Liam Byrne: The percentage of private office staff that are  (a) male,  (b) female and  (c) disabled are shown in the following Table:
	
		
			  Percentage at 31 March 2006 
			   Home Office including Immigration and Nationality Directorate (excluding agencies)  HM Prison Service  Identity and Passport Service  Total 
			  (a) Male 46.50 65.82 36 58.20 
			  (b) Female 53.50 34.18 64 41.80 
			  (c) Disabled 2 3.35 2 2.86 
			  Note:  Overall average totals are weighted by size of organisation.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the staff in his Department are  (a) male,  (b) female and  (c) disabled, broken down by grade.

Liam Byrne: The percentage of staff that are  (a) male,  (b) female,  (c) disabled in the Home Office are broken down by grade in the following table.
	
		
			   Percentage at 31 March 2006 
			   Home Office including Immigration and Nationality Directorate  HM Prison Service  Identity and Passport Service  Total 
			  
			  (a) Male 46.50 65.82 36 58.20 
			  (b) Female 53.50 34.18 64 41.80 
			  (c) Disabled 2 3.35 2 2.86 
			  Note:  Overall average totals are weighted by size of organisation.

Departmental Staff

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Respect Unit will be transferred from his Department to the new Department for Communities and Local Government.

Liam Byrne: The Respect Task Force has a cross-departmental remit which reflects the Government's determination to ensure that all government departments are working effectively to tackle antisocial behaviour and its causes. The Task Force is based at the Home Office and there are no plans to transfer the team to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Diversity Champion

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the role and responsibilities are of the Home Office Diversity Champion; what the cost to public funds of his activities has been to date; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The primary role of the Home Office Diversity Champion is to support the Group Executive Board (GEB) to take personal ownership of race and diversity and to demonstrate leadership within their areas of command.
	The role of Home Office GEB Diversity Champion is carried out by Derrick Anderson who was appointed as a non-executive director of the Home Office as a local government advisor in 2001 and took on the role of Diversity Champion on a voluntary basis for which no additional remuneration is paid.

Diversity Champion

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated cost to public funds is of his Department's five-year race and diversity programme; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Home Office promotes its equality and diversity agenda in developing policies on its range of public responsibilities and in its treatment of its staff through a five-year race and diversity programme. The annual cost of the team which has responsibility for delivering the programme is approximately £900,000. The programme covers the Home Office group and devolved areas including the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Her Majesty's Prison Service and UK Passport Service.

DNA

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria were used in deciding to use low copy number DNA analysis in police investigations; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ryan: Police forces typically only consider using low copy number DNA in serious crime when other options have been exhausted. Low copy number (LCN) DNA analysis is a specialist DNA service and the decision to use it is purely a police operational matter. In view of the additional complexity of interpretation and cost implications of using LCN DNA analysis, each submission to a laboratory during an investigation will be considered on a case-by-case basis following discussion with the force Scientific Support Unit. Forces are now developing strict evaluation criteria for its use in serious crime.

DNA

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what safeguards the Government have put in place to ensure that DNA mismatches of people on the National DNA Database who were not present at the crime scene do not occur; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ryan: The discriminating power of the 10 marker system for profiling DNA (SGM+) is very high and while the probabilities vary with the features of the particular profile, e.g. if the profile is degraded or only a partial profile, the probability of a "chance" or "adventitious" match with a full SGM+ to SGM+ is generally less than one in a billion. In any event, the Crown Prosecution Service makes it very clear that in every case involving a DNA profile there must also be appropriate supporting evidence before a case can proceed. It follows that any prosecution should be based on a DNA profile and other admissible and credible evidence.

DNA

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times crime scene DNA has been matched with the DNA of an innocent passer-by since the introduction of the National DNA Database; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ryan: There is no known case of an innocent passer-by being wrongly convicted solely on the basis of their DNA being found at a crime scene. A match between DNA taken from an individual and that from a crime scene is intelligence, indicating that the individual has been present at the scene. The police and Crown Prosecution Service take account of the fact that there may be an innocent explanation for this. Home Office Circular 58/2004 to chief officers states that there should be further supporting evidence, in addition to the match, before someone is charged. This is also reflected in guidance issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers, and additionally the Crown Prosecution Service make it very clear that in every case involving a DNA profile, there must also be appropriate supporting evidence before a case can proceed.

Europol

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from  (a) the Austrian presidency,  (b) the European Commission,  (c) the European Parliament,  (d) Europol and  (e) other European partners on the future of Europol; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 8 May 2006
	I have received no direct representations relating to the future of Europol.

Fireworks

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many penalty notices have been issued in relation to the illegal use of fireworks in  (a) Kingston upon Hull, North, and  (b) the Humberside police force area since the relevant legislation was introduced.

Liam Byrne: Data from the penalty notices for disorder (PND) database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform showing the number of males and females issued with penalty notices for fireworks in Humberside police force area 2004, as well as provisional data for 2005, are provided in the following table.
	The provisions for the new offences in the Fireworks Regulations 2004 came into force on 7 August 2004. The offences were added to the PND scheme with effect from 11 October 2004. The offence of throwing fireworks has been included in the scheme from the start.
	It is not possible to identify the number of penalty notices issued in Kingston upon Hull, North as the data is broken down by police force area only and is not available at that level of detail.
	
		
			  Number of penalty notices for disorder issued for fireworks offences, Humberside Police force area, 2004 and 2005 provisional data 
			   2004 ( 1) 2005 
			 Throwing fireworks 5 5 
			 Breach of fireworks curfew 1 1 
			 Possession of a Category 4 firework 1 1 
			 Possession by under 18 of adult firework — 3 
			 (1 )Provisional data  Source:  RDS—Office for Criminal Justice Reform

Forensic Science Service

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many copies of the Forensic Science Service Annual Report and Accounts 2004-05 were distributed by his Department; if he will list those who were sent copies; at what cost; how many copies were printed; at what cost; who was awarded the contract to undertake the printing; how  (a) hon. Members,  (b) members of the House of Lords and  (c) members of the public may obtain a copy; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ryan: For the year 2004-05, Forensic Science Service Ltd. (FSS) printed 1,000 copies of the Forensic Science Service Annual Report and Accounts. Two hundred and fifty copies were issued to The Stationery Office. Of the remaining copies, an initial quantity of approximately 250 copies were distributed internally to eight laboratory facilities across the FSS. The UK Criminal Justice System Division has sent either hard or soft (cd rom) copies of the annual report to police forces upon request in response to police tenders or other enquiries. Forty copies have also been distributed to non-police customers of FSS Ltd. by the New Business Division.
	Other copies have been given out to visitors to the FSS, and at exhibitions and events. There are 150 hard copies in total remaining within the FSS Communications and Business Planning Departments.
	The total cost of preparing the Annual Report and Accounts for 2004-05 was £12,570.
	Hon. Members, Members of the House of Lords and members of the public may either purchase a hard copy from the Stationery Office or Amazon for £13.50, or alternatively a copy may be downloaded from the website of FSS Ltd., www.forensic.gov.uk .

Home Detention Curfew

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders who have been released on Home Detention Curfew since April 2005 were not tagged on the day they were released.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The number of people released on Home Detention Curfew between 1 April 2005 and 30 April 2006 was 17,843. These statistics are based on information recorded on the central prison IT system on 30 April 2006. Further updates and amendments may be made to records in future resulting in revised figures.
	The statistics on the number of cases where the tag was not fitted on the day of release have been provided by the electronic monitoring service providers. A total of 1,244 (7 per cent.) did not have their tag fitted on the day of release.
	In the great majority of those cases (1,039, or 5.8 per cent. of the total) this was because the offender was not present at the curfew address or the monitoring company was refused access. A second failed attempt to fit the tag will result in the offender being recalled to prison.

Home Office Responsibilities

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list areas of policy responsibility which have been transferred  (a) from the Home Office to other departments and  (b) to the Home Office from other departments since 1997.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 8 May 2006
	The information requested is as follows.
	 A. Areas of policy responsibility transferred from the Home Office since 1997:
	 1. Transfer from the Home Secretary to the Lord Chancellor:
	 (a) the Monarchy
	 (b) titles
	 (c) ceremonial matters
	 (d) the relationship between the administration of any of the Channel Islands or of the Isle of Man and the Crown or a Minister of the Crown
	 (e) human rights
	 (f) bodies or organisations established or incorporated by Royal Charter
	 (g) appointments
	 (h) ecclesiastical matters
	 (i) marriage
	 (j) access to information (including, in particular, the subject matter of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000), and
	 (k) buildings and structures in London
	 2. Functions passing from the Home Secretary to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport:
	 (a) gambling
	 (b) horse-racing
	 (c) liquor licensing,
	 (d) late night refreshment
	 (e) public entertainments
	 (f) video recording (including, in particular, the subject matter of the Video Recordings Act 1984), and
	 (g) films (including, in particular, the subject matter of the Cinemas Act 1985).
	 3. Functions passing from the Home Secretary to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry:
	 (a) street trading and pedlars, and
	 (b) fairs
	 4. Functions passing from the Home Secretary to the (then) Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions:
	 (a) fire services and fire precautions (including, in particular, the subject matter of the Fire Services Act 1947 and the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and any provision which relates, or in so far as it relates, to a fire authority)
	 (b) elections, and
	 (c) bye-laws
	 5. Functions passing from the Home Secretary to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
	 (a) animals
	 B. Areas of policy responsibility transferred to the Home Office since 1997
	 1. Functions passing from the (then) Secretary of State for Education and Employment to the Home Secretary:
	 (a) work permit functions.
	 2. Functions passing from the Secretary of State for Scotland to the Home Secretary
	 (a) appointing a member of the Poisons Board under Schedule one to the Poisons Act 1972.
	 3. Functions passing from the Lord Chancellor to the Home Secretary
	 (a) appointing a Conservator under section 12 of the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act 1871.

Infant LIfe (Preservation) Act 1929

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) males and  (b) females were (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted of an offence under the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929 in each year since 1976.

Liam Byrne: Data from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform for the number of males and females (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted of an offence under the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929 in England and Wales for the years 1984 to 2004 can be found in the following table.
	Data prior to 1984 is unavailable.
	Data for 2005 will be available in the autumn of 2006.
	
		
			  Number of males and females prosecuted at magistrates courts and convicted at all courts, under the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929 in England and Wales, 1984 to 2004( 1) 
			   Prosecuted  Convicted 
			   Male  Female  Male  Female 
			 1984 (2)— (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 1985 (2)— (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 1986 (2)— (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 1987 (2)— (2)— 1 (2)— 
			 1988 2 (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 1989 (2)— (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 1990 (2)— (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 1991 (2)— (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 1992 1 (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 1993 (2)— (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 1994 1 (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 1995 (2)— 1 (2)— 1 
			 1996 (2)— (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 1997 (2)— (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 1998 (2)— (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 1999 (2)— (2)— 1 (2)— 
			 2000 (2)— (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 2001 1 (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 2002 1 (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 2003 (2)— (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 2004 (2)— (2)— (2)— (2)— 
			 (1)These data are provided on the principal offence basis.  (2) Nil

Juvenile Offenders

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the average weekly cost of a young person on remand  (a) in a young offender institution and  (b) on a foster remand placement;
	(2)  what resources he is making available in the 2006-07 financial year to increase the number of remand foster placements as an alternative to young offender institutions for young people on remand;
	(3)  how many remand foster placements are available as an alternative to young offender institutions for young people on remand;
	(4)  what steps he is taking to increase the number of remand foster placements;
	(5)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of remand foster placements as an alternative to young offender institutions for young people on remand.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 15 May 2006
	Remand fostering in England and Wales is the responsibility of local social services departments and funding is provided through the existing grant to Youth Offending Teams (YOT). Information on the numbers of placements are not held centrally.
	There is a summary of a recent evaluation of pre- trial accommodation available on the Youth Justice Board (YJB) website. The Home Office and the YJB are committed to ensuring that there is suitable accommodation for young offenders and those at risk of offending. The YJB have been developing an accommodation strategy for this group and a key part of this will be looking at ensuring that there are no remands to custody as a result of a lack of suitable accommodation. I will ensure that the hon. Member receives a copy of this when it is published.
	The average weekly cost of a remand or sentenced placement at a Young Offenders Institution (YOI) is £1,000. This figure is based on the Service Level Agreement between the Prison Service and the YJB.

Mobile Phones (Drivers)

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fixed penalty notices have been issued for offences involving using a hand- held mobile telephone when driving a motor vehicle in  (a) South Wales,  (b) Gwent,  (c) North Wales and  (d) Dyfed Powys police force areas.

Liam Byrne: In 2004 the number of fixed penalty notices issued for offences of use of hand-held mobile phones while driving were as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			  (a) South Wales 134,743 
			  (b) Gwent 25,228 
			  (c) North Wales 71,678 
			  (d) Dyfed Powys 14,752 
		
	
	The figures have been taken from the annual Home Office publication Offences relating to motor vehicles, England and Wales Supplementary tables 2004 (latest available). Copies are available from the Library.
	Data for 2005 will be available early in 2007.

Motoring Offences

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to police forces on their duty to contact the owners of rented properties whose tenants are wanted for moving road traffic offences.

Vernon Coaker: None. The investigation of offences, including the inquiries made to trace suspected offenders, is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police. Police would generally obtain a driver's address from DVLA's register of vehicle keepers. This does not identify the nature of an address, nor whether it is owned or rented; it has no information on those linked to a vehicle keeper such as a landlord.

National Identity Register

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate the Government have made of the commercial value to the Government of the information stored about individuals in the National Identity Register.

Joan Ryan: The Government have made clear that commercial organisations will not have access to the information held on the National Identity Register and the Identity Cards Act 2006 does not make provision for such access. Thus, no such valuation has been conducted. The Identity and Passport Service plans to recover the majority of operational costs from fees. This will include the cost of the Identity Verification Service, which will be established under section 12 of the Identity Cards Act and will allow verification of identity by organisations such as banks, with the consent of the individual.

National Identity Register

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions the Government plan on the use of the National Identity Registration Number by private sector bodies.

Joan Ryan: The Government have made clear that the National Identity Registration Number would be a general identifier under the terms of schedule 1, part 2, paragraph 4 of the Data Protection Act 1998, which states:
	personal data which contain a general identifier falling within a description prescribed by the Secretary of State by order are not to be treated as processed fairly and lawfully unless they are processed in compliance with any conditions so prescribed in relation to general identifiers of that description.
	This means that the use of the number by other organisations would have to be specified in regulations. Additionally, before these regulations were tabled, the Secretary of State would be under a duty to consult the Information Commissioner as required by section 67(3) of the Data Protection Act 1998.

National Identity Register

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who the data controller will be for the National Identity Register.

Joan Ryan: The Secretary of State will be the data controller for the National Identity Register.

National Identity Register

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will supply complete answers to parliamentary questions to which answers have previously been refused on grounds of commercial confidentiality once a contractor for the National Identity Register has been selected.

Joan Ryan: The award of contracts for the National Identity Register will not necessarily change the impact that release of information may have on the Department's commercial interests. The Identity and Passport Service would need to undertake further consideration regarding the information at the time of contract award. However, it is likely that at the contract award stage, the release of certain cost estimates previously withheld will no longer prejudice commercial interests, and it may be possible for this information to be made public without prejudicing the Department's commercial interests.

National Identity Register

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the expected cost is to public funds of vetting the staff employed by contractors operating the National Identity Register; and what the expected cost is to the operation of the National Identity Register of the time taken to carry out such vetting.

Joan Ryan: Measures will be put in place to ensure that the National Identity Register operates to the level of security commensurate with being part of the critical national infrastructure. The published operating cost estimates for the scheme include staff-related costs of operating the National Identity Register.

National Identity Register

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the expected average salary is of persons who will have  (a) any access to the National Identity Register and  (b) physical access to the equipment which stores it.

Joan Ryan: Overall estimates with regard to staff costs have been made within the business case for the National Identity Scheme. However, precise details regarding the deployment of staff in specific roles or associated compensation packages are dependent on the final design of the scheme, which can only be finalised after negotiations with suppliers in the forthcoming procurement process are completed.

National Identity Register

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the public sector bodies that will have access to data held on the National Identity Register without specific citizen consent; and for what purposes.

Joan Ryan: No organisation will have direct access to information recorded on the National Identity Register, with or without the consent of the individual.
	Sections 17-21 of the Identity Cards Act 2006 permit the Secretary of State to provide information from the National Identity Register without the consent of the individual to certain public sector organisations under certain circumstances.
	Those organisations are:
	the Security Services, the Secret Intelligence Service, Government Communications Headquarters and the Serious Organised Crime Agency when the request is connected with the carrying out of any of the functions of those organisations.
	the police, when the request is (a) in the interests of national security or (b) for purposes connected with the prevention or detection of crime. However, in the case of information held under paragraph 9 of Schedule 1 of the Act, it can only be provided to the police when the request is related to the prevention or detection of serious crime.
	Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, when the request is (a) in the interests of national security, (b) for purposes connected with the prevention or detection of crime, (c) for purposes connected with the prevention, detection or investigation of conduct in respect of which the Commissioners have power to impose penalties, or with the imposition of such penalties, (d) for the purpose of facilitating the checking of information provided to the Commissioners in connection with anything under their care and management, or with any other matter in relation to which the Commissioners have duties under any enactment, (e) for purposes connected with any of the functions of the Commissioners in relation to national insurance contributions or national insurance numbers. However, as in the case with the police, information held under paragraph 9 of Schedule 1 can only be provided when the request is related to the prevention or detection of serious crime.
	The provision of information from the National Identity Register in these circumstances can only occur when conditions established under Section 21 of the Identity Cards Act have been met. Furthermore, the National Identity Scheme Commissioner and, where appropriate, the Intelligence Services Commissioner will provide independent oversight of the National Identity Scheme.
	The provision of information without consent of the individual to the aforementioned organisations forany other purpose or to any other Government department, Northern Ireland department or public authority cannot occur without the prior approval of Parliament through secondary legislation subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.

National Identity Register

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate the Government have made of the cost to an individual of  (a) losing their identity card and  (b) it being stolen.

Joan Ryan: The schedule of fees for Identity and Passport Service products after the introduction of identity cards is not yet settled. Currently, an individual must pay for the replacement of a lost or stolen passport.

National Identity Register

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of parliamentary questions on the subject of the identity cards scheme Ministers have  (a) refused to answer and  (b) given an incomplete answer to on grounds of commercial confidentiality in the current parliamentary session.

Joan Ryan: In the current parliamentary session, Ministers have answered all parliamentary questions that have been tabled by hon. Members. Out of a total of 271 parliamentary questions tabled, the answers to 16 (less than 6 per cent. of the total) were qualified to ensure that they did not prejudice the Government's ability to secure value for money.

Passports

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department where in the Anglesey and North Gwynedd area the secure webcam for passport application interviews will be located; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ryan: holding answer 15 May 2006
	Locations for interviews have not yet been determined in any of the areas in which the remote community service will be available, including the Anglesey and North Gwynedd area. A procurement exercise will be undertaken to engage partner organisations with suitable premises and establish the detailed arrangements.

Passports

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pensioners in Hendon received free passports in 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ryan: The United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) does not keep records by address of how many British Nationals have received free passports.
	In 2005, nationally, UKPS issued a total of 172,080 passports free of charge to British Nationals born on or before 2 September 1929.

Police

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from which  (a) police forces and  (b) police authorities he has received a request for amalgamation with a neighbouring police force.

Liam Byrne: None. The Home Secretary's written Ministerial statement on 6 February 2006 set out the latest position and undertook to keep the House up to date about the detailed plans for all areas as options for each are refined.

Police

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in  (a) Kingston upon Hull, North constituency,  (b) Kingston upon Hull division and  (c) Humberside in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: Statistics by constituency are not collected centrally. Figures for police officers have only been collected by basic command unit since March 2002. The available data for the number of police officers deployed in the Kingston-upon-Hull basic command unit is provided in the table along with the figures for Humberside.
	I understand from the chief constable that in 2003 and 2004, criminal justice administration teams, command centres, dog handlers and scenes of crime officers were transferred from all of Humberside's basic command units to central force control. This accounts for the reduction in police officer numbers in Kingston-upon-Hull basic command unit.
	
		
			  Police officer strength (full-time equivalent) by year (1997-2005) 
			  As at 31 March each year  Kingston-upon-Hull( 1)  Humberside( 2) 
			 1997  2,045 
			 1998  2,021 
			 1999  1,974 
			 2000  1,932 
			 2001  1,917 
			 2002 704 2,058 
			 2003 761 2,105 
			 2004 740 2,213 
			 2005 699 2,230 
			 (1) FTE includes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. Data only available from 2002.  (2 )Figures include those on Secondment to NCIS, NCS and Central Services, FTE excludes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave

Police

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects HM Inspectorate of Constabulary's (HMIC) report into the performance of Nottinghamshire Police to be published.

Liam Byrne: It is hoped that HMIC will be in a position to publish the report in approximately one month (i.e. mid-June).

Police

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances the police retain DNA samples of people who have been arrested but not charged with an offence.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, as amended, the police may take and retain DNA samples from persons who have been arrested for a recordable offence and detained in a police station. The decision whether or not to retain samples taken in these circumstances is an operational one for the police force concerned although it would be the norm to do so. Once taken, these samples may only be used for the purposes of prevention and detection of crime, the investigation of an offence, the conduct of a prosecution or for the purposes of identifying a deceased person.

Police

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many DNA samples the police collected on a voluntary basis in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The number of DNA samples provided by volunteers to the police for elimination purposes is not held centrally by the Home Office and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	As at the end of April 2006, the number of persons who have voluntarily given a DNA sample to the police and who have also consented to their DNA profile being loaded onto the National DNA database was 16,173.

Police

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances the police retain DNA samples of people who have been assisting a victim of crime.

Gerry Sutcliffe: DNA samples taken from a volunteer as part of the investigation of an offence are destroyed once they have fulfilled the purpose for which they were taken unless the volunteer gives written permission for them to be retained on the National DNA database.

Police

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the new headquarters of Gloucestershire constabulary at Quedgeley in its function as a major incident facility.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 24 April 2006
	Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary are planning to review the operation of the facility in due course.

Police

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the consultants employed by  (a) each police authority and  (b) each police force in England and Wales to advise on police force amalgamations; and what the cost was in each case.

Liam Byrne: This information is not held centrally.

Police

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the consultants employed by his Department to advise on police force amalgamations; and what the cost was in each case.

Liam Byrne: Consultants from a number of organisations have been employed to assist in the process of assessing the financial case for change, including:
	Office for Government Commerce
	Deloitte
	Avail (Tribal Vale)
	Ernst and Young
	KPMG
	Accenture
	IBM
	Mott MacDonald
	Methods
	Walker-Cox
	Mentis
	To date this consultancy support has cost 656,864.

Police

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the consultants employed by non-governmental organisations funded by his Department to advise on police force amalgamations; and what the cost was in each case.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 31 January 2006
	This information is not held centrally.

Police

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to delay decisions on the merging of police forces to enable more extensive local consultation on the implications of such changes to take place.

Liam Byrne: The House will be kept up to date about the detailed plans for all areas as options for each are refined. In the meantime, the Home Secretary expects police authorities to continue to engage with their communities on this issue.

Police

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration has been given to the location of police headquarters in the event of the Norfolk Constabulary being merged with other forces to create a strategic force in the Eastern region.

Liam Byrne: This will be an issue for the chief officer and police authority of any new strategic force.

Police

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the letter of 5 April from the Minister of State to Sir Ronnie Flanagan commissioning the O'Connor report, for what reasons the intention of the Government was that this stage of the review of policing structure be low key in terms of publicity.

Liam Byrne: The White Paper Building Communities, Beating Crime, published in November 2004, stated clearly (at paragraph 5.62-5.64) that the former Home Secretary (Charles Clarke) had commissioned Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) to examine the issue of force structures in England and Wales and that HMIC had been asked to report its initial findings by the end of January 2005. The further work commissioned from HMIC in my letter of 5 April 2005 to Sir Ronnie Flanagan was the next stage in the process mapped out in the White Paper and, as such, did not call for a further announcement at that stage.

Police

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the merits of 24-hour help desks in police stations.

Liam Byrne: The Home Office has not commissioned or evaluated any research on the merits of 24-hour help desks in police stations.
	The management of the police estate and allocation of resources are matters for each police authority and the chief officer, who are responsible for assessing local needs. The ownership of police stations is vested in the local police authority, not the Home Office. Their use is a matter for local decisions.

Police

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to police forces on the provision of 24-hour help desks at police stations.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 24 April 2006
	The management of the police estate and allocation of resources are matters for each police authority and the chief officer, who are responsible for assessing local needs. The ownership of police stations is vested in the local police authority, not the Home Office. Their use is a matter for local decision.

Police

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether police precepts will be harmonised throughout the local authority areas covered by the new regional police force in Yorkshire and the Humber; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 2 May 2006
	Yes. Work is taking place on transitional arrangements to allow for convergence of precepts over several years.

Police

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how police force mergers in Wales will be funded.

Liam Byrne: We are committed to paying 100 per cent. of reasonable set-up, revenue and capital costs of restructuring, net of reasonable savings.

Police

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether existing North Yorkshire police force and police authority  (a) revenue and  (b) capital balances will be ring-fenced for use exclusively within the North Yorkshire and York local authority areas.

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether existing plans for police capital expenditure within North Yorkshire and York will be honoured by the new Yorkshire and Humberside regional police authority.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 2 May 2006
	Budget setting and management for any reorganised police area will be a matter for the new strategic police authority and the chief officer, who will be responsible for prioritising local needs.

Prisons

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much compensation has been paid to prisoners in each of the last eight years; and what the reason was in each case.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following table covers the financial years 2004-05 and 2005-06 as data prior to this is unreliable. The data relates to public sector establishments only as litigation in private sector prisons is a matter for the individual contractor.
	
		
			  The Amount of Compensation Paid to Prisoners by the Public Sector Prison Service in England and Wales in 2004-05 and 2005-06 
			   2004-05  2005-06 
			   
			  Type of Prisoner Claim  Awards made by Courts  Settlements out of Court  Awards made by Courts  Settlements out of Court 
			 Abuse/Harassment 0 500 0 7,000 
			 Assault by Prisoner 0 79,409 0 13,270 
			 Assault by Staff 0 180,408 0 113,250 
			 Slip, Trip  Fall 2,750 96,975 2,500 72,155 
			 Sport Injury 0 0 0 2,950 
			 Miscellaneous injury 22,750 233,351 0 3,445,650 
			 Medical Negligence 350 1,437,500 0 215,700 
			 Property 0 14,355 3,585 13,685 
			 Unlawful Detention 0 100,307 0 76,945 
			 Other 0 17,725 20,000 56,628 
			 TOTAL 25,850 2,160,530 26,085 4,017,233

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact on education provision in prisons of the level of transfers of inmates between establishments.

Phil Hope: I have been asked to reply.
	The throughput of prisoners in establishments (i.e. numbers of prisoners received and discharged on a daily basis) has increased significantly. It is to be expected that when prisons face operational pressures there may be an impact on a range of activities, including education and training, particularly in hard- pressed local prisons. However, since April 2002, over 150,000 basic skills qualifications have been achieved by learners in prison.
	The Home Office and DfES have established the Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) project which will introduce a new service of education and skills for offenders in both custody and the community. This, combined with plans set out in the Reducing Re-offending through Skills and Employment Green Paper launched in December 2005, will enable more offenders in custody and those serving their sentences in the community to complete their education and training successfully.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of incentive and earned privileges programmes on the prison estate.

Gerry Sutcliffe: All prisons operate a local scheme of incentives and earned privileges based upon a national framework. National policy requires that all establishments review and evaluate their own schemes annually.
	A central review of the scheme is currently being conducted which will result in a revised issue of the Incentive and Earned Privileges guidance.

Prisons

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many copies of the Prison Service annual report and accounts 2003-04 were distributed by his Department; if he will list those who were sent copies; at what cost; how many copies were printed; at what cost; who was awarded the contract to undertake the printing; how  (a) hon. Members,  (b) Members of the House of Lords and  (c) members of the public may obtain a copy; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Her Majesty's Prison Service (HMPS) printed 3,000 copies of its annual report and accounts for the financial year 2003-04. Most of these were issued free of charge to Parliament, colleagues elsewhere in the Home Office and criminal justice system and senior managers within HMPS. HMPS provided 350 copies to the Stationery Office, the official publishers, who offered these for sale through their retail outlets at a cover price (fixed by TSO) of 23. The distribution list used by HMPS is shown in the following table.
	The total cost of producing 3,000 copies of the annual report and accounts 2003-04 was approximately 26,000. The contract for design work was awarded to the Brightside Partnership and the contract for printing was awarded to Formara Printers. Distribution costs were mostly covered by HMPS' internal mail and messenger services. Normal postage costs applied to copies distributed externally and would have amounted to no more than 80.
	Copies of the document are held in the Library. Printed copies of the document may still be available from TSO outlets at a cost of 23. Alternatively, the document is viewable on the HMPS internet website (hmprisonservice.gov.uk).
	
		
			  Annual report and accounts distribution list 2003-04 
			  Recipient  Approximate number of copies 
			 Ministers and Private Office 6 
			 Public Accounts Committee 2 
			 Prison Service Pay Review Body 25 
			 Home Office 50 
			 HM Treasury 2 
			 National Offender Management Service 15 
			 CJS Planning Contacts 20 
			 Special Advisers 2 
			 National Probation Service 20 
			 Prison Health Unit 20 
			 Offender Learning and Skills Unit 10 
			 Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons 10 
			 Her Majesty's Inspector of Probation 5 
			 Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 10 
			 Independent Monitoring Board 10 
			 Prison Service Management Board 10 
			 Director General's office 25 
			 Deputy Director General's office 25 
			 Director of Operations office 25 
			 HMPS Area Managers 100 
			 HMPS Heads of Groups 225 
			 HMPS establishments 1,380 
			 HMPS International Section (foreign visits) 100 
			 Office for Contracted Prisons 10 
			 Controllers at private prisons 10 
			 Scottish and Northern Ireland Prison Services 2 
			 TSO 350 
			 Press Office 50 
			 Internal communications 25 
			 Prison Service Library 50 
			 External libraries 6 
			 General public and visitors (HQ reception areas) 100 
			 Reserve (issued through the year or re-cycled) 300 
			 Total 3,000

Prisons

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours of education for prisoners were provided in each of the last two years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The total number of education hours undertaken by prisoners during each of the last two years is shown in the table. Data for 2005-06 is provisional subject to end-of-year validations by establishments.
	
		
			  Hours of education undertaken by prisoners in England and Wales 
			   Education hours 
			 2004-05 17,617,211 
			 2005-06 19,375,614

Private Office

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of his private office was in the last year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: Running costs for the Home Secretary's Private Office for the financial year 2004-2005 were 6,020,526.

Prolific and Priority Offender Strategy

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people in Peterborough constituency have been subject to the Prolific and Priority Offender Strategy; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Currently, 32 young people under the age of 18 are being targeted. This comprises 28 under the Prevent and Deter and four in the Catch and Convict and Rehabilitate and Resettle strands. Peterborough is one of 39 schemes in the eastern region that is helping to deliver the Government's national Prolific and Priority Offender programme which uses a multi-agency approach to target those offenders causing a disproportionate amount of harm to their communities through a range of interventions to reduce their offending.

Proscribed Terrorist Organisations

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to place the  (a) Saved Sect and  (b) al-Ghurabaa groups on his Department's list of proscribed terrorist organisations.

Liam Byrne: Section 21 of the terrorism Act 2006, which came into force on 13 April, expanded the criteria for proscription. All possible candidates for proscription will be assessed against these widened criteria.

Racially Motivated Attacks

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many racially motivated attacks took place in  (a) England and Wales,  (b) Leicester and  (c) London in each of the last 24 months for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: Information is collected in the form of racially or religiously aggravated less serious wounding and racially or religiously aggravated common assault. Data for the period April 2003 to March 2005 are given in the table.
	
		
			  Racially or religiously aggravated less serious wounding and common assault 
			  Month/Year  Leicester crime and disorder reduction partnership  Metropolitan and City of London police force areas  England and Wales 
			  2003
			 April 9 251 749 
			 May 18 261 772 
			 June 25 260 833 
			 July 10 284 873 
			 August 13 216 743 
			 September 19 253 688 
			 October 14 230 746 
			 November 14 225 790 
			 December 7 157 621 
			 
			  2004
			 January 2 167 631 
			 February 14 209 685 
			 March 10 213 726 
			 April 11 239 830 
			 May 20 264 825 
			 June 15 244 858 
			 July 13 233 802 
			 August 14 218 794 
			 September 14 201 733 
			 October 12 200 738 
			 November 13 204 739 
			 December 18 171 599 
			 
			  2005
			 January 15 208 670 
			 February 9 166 625 
			 March 14 213 776

Research Studies

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the research studies commissioned by his Department in each of the last five years where a decision was taken not to publish the results of the research after it was completed.

Liam Byrne: Not every piece of research that is commissioned is published by the Home Office. The Chief Scientific Adviser may decide not to publish in a Home Office series on the grounds of inadequate scientific quality following external peer review, as the results are out of date or for operational reasons. In these circumstances, the researcher is usually released to publish the results through other means. We do not have a record centrally of which reports released in this way have subsequently been published in scientific journals or other non-HO publications.
	In other cases, the Department decides to publish only a summary of research and allow the more detailed report to be made available separately. A list of research findings can be found on the Home Office website.
	There are a number of further cases where the commissioned research is not released where the following circumstances apply:
	1. That a decision is taken that any dissemination of the research should have a limited distribution for reasons such as security considerations or practical operational reasons.
	2. That the research is commissioned, but during the course of the project a decision is made to re-prioritise work to other areas, before there are publishable results.
	3. There are a very limited number of projects where no suitable publication date was found for release by the Home Office. We have found one such instance in the last five years.
	4. The Home Office's Communications Directorate conducts market research to help develop and evaluate public information campaigns. The research is not peer reviewed and therefore has not been considered appropriate for official Home Office publication although details are available on request.
	A table showing the available information on research projects commissioned in the last five years where the above circumstances apply has been collated into a table that has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

Road Trafffic Regulation Act 1984

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the operation of section  (a) 1,  (b) 5,  (c) 6 and  (d) 8 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Liam Byrne: The Government are satisfied that these provisions operate effectively to regulate road use. These provisions of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 provide for the making of traffic regulation orders outside Greater London and of similar orders within Greater London. The orders are made by local authorities or the Secretary of State according to the type of road and can make a wide range of provisions as to how the road is to be used. The orders are made in the interests of avoiding danger, preventing damage, facilitating passage along the road, preventing vehicular use of the road in a way that is unsuitable for the road or surrounding area, preserving the character of a road and preserving or improving local amenities.

Sex Offenders

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the procedure is for registered sex offenders who have been fully rehabilitated to apply to have their name removed from the register.

Vernon Coaker: Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 provides for the notification requirements on offenders who receive convictions or cautions for certain sexual offences. These notification requirements are often known as the sex offenders register. The notification requirements apply for a fixed period as set out in the 2003 Act (see following table) and include lifetime registration for those sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 30 months or more or admitted to a hospital subject to a restriction order.
	There is no general discretion in the application of the notification requirements and there is no power, to the police or the courts, to change the notification period which applies to an offender.
	The only exception relates to those offenders who were made subject to the requirements because they were convicted for a homosexual offence that has now been abolished. These offenders may make an application to end the notification requirements placed upon them.
	
		
			  Description of relevant offender  Notification period 
			 A person who, in respect of the offence, is or has been sentenced to imprisonment for life or for a term of 30 months or more An indefinite period beginning with the relevant date (the date of conviction) 
			 A person who, in respect of the offence, has been made the subject of an order under section 210F(1) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (order for lifelong restriction) An indefinite period beginning with that date 
			 A person who, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been admitted to a hospital subject to a restriction order An indefinite period beginning with that date 
			 A person who, in respect of the offence, is or has been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of more than six months but less than 30 months 10 years beginning with that date 
			 A person who, in respect of the offence, is or has been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of six months or less 7 years beginning with that date 
			 A person who, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been admitted to a hospital without being subject to a restriction order 7 years beginning with that date 
			 A person within section 80(1)(d)subject to a police caution post 1 May 2004 2 years beginning with that date 
			 A person in whose case an order for conditional discharge or, in Scotland, a probation order, is made in respect of the offence The period of conditional discharge or, in Scotland, the probation period 
			 A person of any other description 5 years beginning with the relevant date

Sexually Objectifying Material

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the merits of introducing legislation similar to that protecting against incitement to racial hatred to protect women from sexually objectifying material.

Vernon Coaker: I share the hon. Member's concern at the portrayal of women in some parts of the media. However, I believe there is a significant difference between material which is intended or is likely to stir up hatred and material which may objectify a person and it would be a very large step to criminalise material in the second group. Moreover, in practical terms, hatred is a concept well understood by the courtsit includes behaviour which is likely directly to drive up violence and the fear of violence. It is less clear what sexually objectifying material is and what the direct effects of such material would be. I believe there would be genuine difficulties for the courts in defining sexually objectifying material. This could cover a very wide range of material including much that is commonly available through the media, works of art and comedy material.
	Legislation, including the Obscene Publications Act 1959, the Indecent Displays (Control) Act 1981 and the Video Recordings Act 1984 already exists to protect people against illegal and harmful sexual material.

Solicitors

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to end the practice of locking solicitors in interview rooms at police stations when they visit violent suspects.

Liam Byrne: The management of custody suites and arrangements for all those who come into the custody suite is a matter for the chief officer of the force concerned.
	The Home Office Police Buildings Design Guide recommends that interview and consultation rooms are fitted with suitable warning and alert mechanisms. Guidance issued by the National Centre for Policing Excellence on 8 February 2006 sets out the need to consider any additional risks associated from or to visitors, such as solicitors and healthcare professionals, coming into the custody suite. The guidance states that effective risk management procedures must be in place and compliant with Health and Safety legislation.
	I have asked my officials to meet with interested parties to consider the potential to establish a protocol between the Law Society and the Criminal Law Solicitors Association and the police on arrangements for solicitors attending police stations.

Special Constables

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding his Department has allocated to the special constables scheme in  (a) the Kingston upon Hull division,  (b) Humberside and  (c) England and Wales in each year it has been running.

Liam Byrne: (a) Grants are paid to police authorities. Kingston upon Hull division is part of Humberside police and  (b) Home Office specific grants to forces under the Special Constabulary Capacity Building Scheme began in January 2004.
	Grant payments to forces during the first two years of the scheme are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   
			   2004  2005 
			 Humberside 70,000 70,000 
			 All forces in England  Wales 2,044,034 2,473,009

Special Constables

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what average number of hours per week was worked by a special constable in  (a) the Kingston upon Hull division,  (b) Humberside and  (c) England and Wales in each year since the beginning of the scheme.

Liam Byrne: Humberside police force are unable to provide data on hours worked by special constables. Available information on the average number of special constable hours per week across England and Wales are as follows:
	
		
			  Average number of special constable hours per week across England and Wales (525 forces providing data( 1) ) 
			   Hours 
			 2003-04 19,452 
			 2004-05 21,266 
			 (1) Forces not providing data are Avon and Somerset, Cambridgeshire, Cleveland, Derbyshire, Durham, Greater Manchester, Humberside, Merseyside, Metropolitan Police, North Wales, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, South Wales, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley and West Midlands.

Special Constables

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables have been recruited in  (a) the Kingston-upon-Hull division,  (b) Humberside and  (c) England and Wales since the beginning of the scheme.

Liam Byrne: Home Office specific grants to forces under the Special Constabulary Capacity Building Scheme began in January 2004. In the year 1 April
	2004 to 31 March 2005, 143 special constables were recruited by Humberside, with 3,636 special constables recruited in England and Wales.
	Figures are not collected centrally for Kingston upon Hull.

Speed Cameras

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the total revenue raised from speed camera fines in England in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Vernon Coaker: The number of fixed penalties ordered to be paid and the number of court fines for such offences in 2004 (latest available), is given in the attached table.
	Information for 2005 will be available early in 2007.
	Not all fines and fixed penalties will have been paid.
	
		
			  Fixed penalty and court proceedings data for speeding offences detected by cameras( 1 ) England, 2004 
			  Number of offences 
			  Fixed Penalties  Court Proceedings( 2)  
			  Number of tickets( 3)  Estimated revenue()( 4)  Number of fines  Total amount of fine()  Average fine () 
			 1,786,600 107,196,000 59,700 5,685,700 95 
			 (1 )Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973  (2 )Includes cases where fixed penalty notices were originally issued but not paid and subsequently referred to court.  (3 )Only covers tickets paid where there is no further action.  (4 )Estimate based on 60 fixed penalty charge.

Stop and Search

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 12 September 2005,  Official Report, column 2615W, on stop and search procedures, if he will ensure that a copy of the Stop and Search Manual published on 31 March 2005 be placed in the Library.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 12 May 2006
	I have arranged for copies of the Stop and Search Manual to be placed in the Commons' Library. Copies are already available in the Lords' Library. The guidance can also be accessed online at: http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-and-publications/publication/operational-policing/stopandsearch-intermanual1.pdf

Terrorism

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what inquiries his Department has carried out into the leak in the press about the security services foiling a terrorist attack on Canary Wharf in November 2004;
	(2)  whether the security forces foiled a planned terrorist attack on Canary Wharf in November 2004.

Liam Byrne: We do not comment on alleged leaks of information.
	However, on 11 May 2006, I placed on record to the House that the police and agencies have disrupted many attacks against the UK since 9/11, including three since last July.

Terrorist Interrogations

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what involvement UK agents or operatives have had in the interrogation of alleged terrorist suspects abroad.

Liam Byrne: It is not the Government's policy to comment on intelligence issues.

Torture

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the role of intelligence obtained by torture abroad in legal proceedings in England and Wales;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the reliability of intelligence obtained by torture abroad;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the impact in England and Wales of the use of intelligence obtained by torture abroad on long-term national security.

Liam Byrne: Evidence obtained as a result of any acts of torture by British officials, or with which British authorities were complicit, would not be admissible in criminal or civil proceedings in the UK. It does not matter whether the evidence was obtained here or abroad.
	During the individual appeals against certification under powers provided under part four of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act (ATCSA), the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) emphatically rejected any suggestion that evidence relied upon by the Government was, or even may have been, obtained by torture. The Court of Appeal later confirmed the view of SIAC.
	On 8 December 2005 the House of Lords ruled unanimously that evidence obtained by torture was inadmissible in SIAC proceedings. The decision will not impact on the Government's ability to fight terrorism, or change current practices, as the Government's own stated policy was already not to rely on evidence which we knew or believed to have been obtained as a result of torture. It is not always possible to know where all intelligence information has come from or the precise circumstances under which it was obtained. The Security Service and Secret Intelligence Service receive material from a wide range of foreign intelligence services. The agencies evaluate the reliability of this intelligence against other information available to them. It is then passed, together with an assessment of reliability, to the Government. It may be necessary in some circumstances to rely operationally on material which may have been obtained through the use of torture where it is considered necessary to do so, in particular for preventing terrorist attack and protecting life. The House of Lords judgment confirmed that material which had or may have been obtained through torture could be used for operational purposes.
	We do not condone torture in any way, nor would we carry out this completely unacceptable behaviour. However, we do have an obligation to protect national security and public safety. We would be deficient in this duty if we did not properly assess all the information available to us.

Torture

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases will be affected by the Law Lords ruling that evidence extracted under torture is inadmissible in judicial proceedings.

Liam Byrne: We have no reason to believe that any convictions will be affected by this ruling. In criminal proceedings in England and Wales, the courts have a range of powers to prevent the admission of evidence that may have been obtained improperly or illegally, including through means of torture. Courts have the discretion to exclude evidence if it is unduly prejudicial or unfair, and a judicial discretion to stay proceedings if they are considered to be an abuse of the court's process. Defendants also enjoy the protections afforded by Article 6 of the ECHR, the right to a fair trial. Article 3 of the ECHR also prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment. In addition, a confession is not admissible unless it meets the requirements set out in sections 76 and 78 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE). That is, the evidence will not be admissible if it is unreliable or has been obtained by oppression. Section 76(8) of PACE states that oppression includes torture, inhuman and degrading treatment and the use or threat of violence.

Under-age Drinking

Lynda Waltho: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made in reducing under-age drinking.

Liam Byrne: The Home Office's policy in this area is directed towards reducing the sales of alcohol to under-18s. We are working very closely with both the on and off sectors of the licensed industry, and have secured commitments from both to seek to eliminate under-age sales.
	The table shows the rate of test-purchase failures (i.e. where alcohol was sold to a minor) from the various Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns (AMECs) which have taken place, up to AMEC 3 which ran during November and December last year. This shows encouraging reductions in test-purchase failures for all sectors of the industry.
	Data from the Drug use, smoking and drinking among young people in England in 2005 survey shows that the number of children aged 11-15 who reported having drunk alcohol in the last week was 22 per cent. in 2005, down from 25 per cent. in 2003.
	
		
			   AMEC1  AMEC2  TVCP AMEC  AMEC 3 
			   (Summer 200492 BCUs( 1)  involved)  (Winter 2004188 BCUs( 1) )  (Summer 200525 BCUs( 1) )  (November-December 2005234 BCUs( 1) ) 
			 Test-purchases carried out 1,864 989 909 6,697 
			 On-licence failure rate 45 32 51 29 
			 Off-licence failure rate (incl. supermarkets) 31 32 36 20 
			 Supermarkets failure rate   50 17 
			 (1) BCU: police Basic Command Unit

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Deportations

Edward Garnier: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many defendants sentenced in the Crown Court of England and Wales were recommended to the Home Secretary for deportation on completion of their sentence in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Harriet Harman: The number of defendants for which a recommendation for deportation was made in the Crown Court for each of the last 12 months is displayed in the table.
	
		
			  Number of defendants for which a recommendation for deportation was made in the Crown Court between April 2005 and March 2006 
			   Number of Defendants 
			 April 2005 121 
			 May 2005 136 
			 June 2005 104 
			 July 2005 173 
			 August 2005 116 
			 September 2005 96 
			 October 2005 131 
			 November 2005 162 
			 December 2005 121 
			 January 2006 104 
			 February 2006 123 
			 March 2006 141 
			 Total 1,528

Judges

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many High Court judges are serving on the bench; how many are aged  (a) 40-45,  (b) 46-50,  (c) 51-55,  (d) 56-60,  (e) 61-65,  (f) 66-70,  (g) 71-75 and  (h) over 75 years; and how many there were in each group in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1999, (iv) 2002 and (v) 2004.

Harriet Harman: The information requested was not held centrally prior to 2000 in a form that is readily accessible. The following table shows the information for 2002 onwards.
	
		
			   Number of judges 
			   Aged  40-45  Aged  46-50  Aged  51-55  Aged  56-60  Aged  61-65  Aged  66-70  Aged  71-75  Aged over 75  High Court judges 
			 15 May 2006  4 26 30 34 12 1  107 
			 1 Jan 2004  3 28 39 28 6 2  106 
			 1 Jan 2002  7 29 36 20 7 1  100

Judges

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on diversity in judicial appointments.

Harriet Harman: This Government are committed to bringing about a more diverse judiciary that better reflects and understands the communities it serves. We believe this is important to helping increase public confidence in the justice system.
	We are working with the Lord Chief Justice and Chairman of the recently established Judicial Appointments Commission on the judicial diversity programme. A Written Ministerial Statement was made today, 17 May 2006, outlining the strategy.

New Court House (Colchester)

Bob Russell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 28 March 2006,  Official Report, column 871W, on New Court House (Colchester), when she expects work on building a new court house at Colchester  (a) to commence and  (b) to be completed.

Harriet Harman: The position in Colchester is currently being considered. I expect to make an announcement about the court in Colchester before the summer recess.

Small Claims (Courts)

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to her Oral Statement of 30 March 2006,  Official Report, column 361W, on small claims (courts), what information technology projects in the civil and family courts are under consideration by the Department.

Harriet Harman: The Department is working hard to both improve existing systems and to introduce new systems where appropriate, as resources permit. Key projects currently either under consideration or in hand include:
	An upgrade to existing systems in the civil and family courts to enable networked courts to view or work on cases held at any other networked court, which will be piloted later this year;
	A new web-based system for use by claimants for possession of property through non-payment of mortgage or rent arrears;
	An Electronic Filing and Document Management system is also under consideration, but work is at a very early stage.

Suicide

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the Government plan to amend the Suicide Act 1961.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government have no current plans to amend the Suicide Act 1961.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of the staff in his Department is  (a) male,  (b) female and  (c) disabled, broken down by grade.

Gareth Thomas: Details of DFID's permanent and pensionable home civil service staff by gender and grade can be derived from our published staffing figures return to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as at 31 December 2005.
	The following table shows the percentage of staff, by grade, who had declared a disability at 31 December 2005. Declaration of a disability is voluntary.
	
		
			  Grade  Total  Males  Percentage male  Female  Percentage female  Staff with declared disability  Percentage declared disabled 
			 SCS 85 60 71 25 29 3 3.5 
			 A1/A2 (G6/G7) 659 388 59 271 41 5 0.8 
			 A3/B1 (SEO/HEO) 508 263 52 245 48 13 2.6 
			 B2 (EO) 297 136 46 161 54 4 1.3 
			 C1/C2 (AO/AA) 323 116 36 207 64 19 5.9 
			 Total 1,872 963 51 909 49 44 2.3

Fishing

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to promote sustainable fishing in the developing world; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: DFID recognises that fisheries can make a significant contribution to economic growth and poverty reduction in the developing world but that, in many countries, this contribution is being constrained by problems of poor management. Pressures are being generated by high demand for fish products in rich countries, by poverty and the increasing numbers of people having to resort to fishing to sustain basic livelihoods and, in some places, by developed countries subsidising their own fleets to move into the waters of poorer countries.
	In the long run, the contribution of sustainable fishing to the economies of developing countries can only be realised if the rich countries take into account the impact of their policies on developing countries and if the latter have the capacity to manage their own resources in a sustainable way.
	DFID is working hard to ensure that international fisheries policy takes account of impacts on developing countries. Particular problems are being caused by illegal fishingDFID-funded research has found that countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are losing as much as $1 billion a year from this alone. DFID is now working closely with DEFRA to support the development of an international plan of action to tackle illegal fishing.
	We are also ready to support poorer countries to develop their capacity to manage their fisheries resources.

Ministerial Visits (Accommodation)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what the total cost was of overnight accommodation for Ministers of State in his Department on foreign visits in each of the last three years;
	(2)  on how many occasions Ministers of State in his Department stayed overnight in  (a) five star,  (b) four star and  (c) three star hotels on foreign visits in each of the last three years.

Gareth Thomas: Under the terms of the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, when travelling on official business Ministers are expected to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.
	Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing 500 or more during each financial year. This information includes accommodation costs. Copies are available in the Library.
	For both the Secretary of State for International Development and I, the detailed informationrequested can not be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.

Ministerial Visits (Accommodation)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on how many occasions  (a) civil servants and  (b) special advisers in his Department have stayed overnight in (i) five star, (ii) four star and (iii) three star hotels in each of the last three years.

Gareth Thomas: The Department for International Development (DFID) arranges hotel accommodation centrally through our agents. We do not have the ratings of all hotels used, but any hotel will be at least three star, and enable staff to comply with the departmental cost ceiling for overnight subsistence. The total number of room nights booked was as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2003-04 9,444 
			 2004-05 8,717 
			 2005-06 9,687 
		
	
	Data related to our extensive use of overseas hotels are not centrally held and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

Ministerial Visits (Accommodation)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total cost was of overnight accommodation for  (a) civil servants and  (b) special advisers in his Department staying overnight in (i) mainland Great Britain, (ii) Northern Ireland, (iii) the Republic of Ireland and (iv) other countries in each of the last three years.

Gareth Thomas: The Department for International Development (DFID) books hotel accommodation centrally for the UK and some overseas locations through our agents. Expenditure for the past three years is as follows:
	
		
			
			 2003-04 838,691 
			 2004-05 818,020 
			 2005-06 933,698 
		
	
	Data related to our extensive use of overseas hotels are not held centrally. These details could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

Ministerial Visits (Accommodation)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discounts are available in relation to hotel accommodation used by  (a) civil servants and  (b) special advisers in his Department.

Gareth Thomas: The Department for International Development (DFID) books hotel accommodation centrally through our travel agents. They have negotiated substantial discounts with the most frequently used hotels in the UK of between 17 and 67 per cent. on the standard room rate. We do not hold a central record of any discounts agreed by our overseas offices for frequently used hotels in their countries. These details could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs.

TREASURY

Banana Imports

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue was raised in  (a) 2004 and  (b) 2005 from imports into the UK of bananas (combined nomenclature 0803) from (i) Belize, (ii) Brazil, (iii) Cameroon, (iv) Colombia, (v) Costa Rica, (vi) Ivory Coast, (vii) Dominica, (viii) Dominican Republic, (ix) Ecuador, (x) Guatemala, (xi) Jamaica, (xii) Panama, (xiii) St Lucia and (xiv) St Vincent.

Dawn Primarolo: The customs duty declared in respect of bananas imported into the UK is in the following table.
	
		
			   
			   2004  2005 
			 Belize  1,867.82 
			 Brazil 1,684,776.78 1,860,537.69 
			 Cameroon 53,435.11 1,726.29 
			 Colombia 4,510,670.85 5,299,237.24 
			 Costa Rica 9,893,361.20 7,353,796.38 
			 Ivory Coast  146,823.78 
			 Dominica   
			 Dominican Republic 309,312.98 2,674,081.82 
			 Ecuador 138,085.11 45,393.43 
			 Guatemala 108,812.24 14,318.20 
			 Jamaica  15,451.78 
			 Panama 403,931.65 1,448,689.01 
			 St. Lucia 12.84 14,395.23 
			 St. Vincent

Birth Statistics

Nigel Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many live births per 1,000 of the population there have been in  (a) Ribble Valley and  (b) Lancashire in each of the last 10 years; and what estimate he has made for each of the next five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 17 May 2006:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many births per 1,000 population in  (a) Ribble Valley and  (b) Lancashire there have been in each of the last 10 years and what estimate has been made for each of the next five years. (71558)
	Figures are currently available on births that have occurred in each year up to 2004. The table below shows rates for the years 1995 to 2004. ONS projections of the numbers of births in each area are based on the assumption that local trends in fertility observed over the period 1999 to 2003 will continue into the future. The table below also shows projected birth rates on this basis for the years 2005 to 2009.
	
		
			  Live birth rates per 1,000 population 1995-2009, Kibble Valley CD and Lancashire county 
			   Ribble Valley ( 1) Lancashire 
			 1995 9.0 11.8 
			 1996 10.2 11.9 
			 1997 10.3 11.6 
			 1998 10.0 11.4 
			 1999 9.7 11.1 
			 2000 10.2 10.7 
			 2001 9.3 10.7 
			 2002 8.8 10.3 
			 2003 9.1 10.9 
			 2004 9.2 11.4 
			 2005(2) 9.5 10.9 
			 2006(2) 9.3 10.7 
			 2007(2) 9.0 10.5 
			 2008(2) 8.9 10.4 
			 2009(2) 8.7 10.3 
			 (1) In 1997 Blackburn CD and Blackpool CD ceased to form part of Lancashire. To aid comparability they have been excluded throughout the table. (2) Figures for 2005 to 2009 are 2003-based projections.

Cancer Rates

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rates of cancer of the  (a) breast and  (b) cervix were in (i) the South East of England and (ii) the rest of the UK for those aged (A) 20 to 25 years, (B) 25 to 30 years, (C) 30 to 35 years, (D) 35 to 40 years, (E) 40 to 45 years, (F) 45 to 50 years and (G) 50 to 55 years in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 17 May 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the rates of cancer of the (a) breast and (b) cervix were in (i) the South East of England and (ii) the rest of the UK for those aged (A) 20 to 25 years, (B) 25 to 30 years (C) 30 to 35 years (D) 35 to 40 years (E) 40 to 45 years (F) 45 to 50 years and (G) 50 to 55 years in each year since 1979.
	The most recent available figures for newly diagnosed cases of cancer registered in England and Wales are for 2003. Age-specific incidence rates by five-year age groups for both breast and cervical cancer registered in (a) London and South East Government Office Regions and (b) the rest of England and Wales for the years 1981-2003 are given in the attached tables.
	Figures are not available for the United Kingdom prior to 1994 and so figures have been provided for England and Wales for consistency over the period.
	
		
			  Age-specific incidence rates( 1)  of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer, London and South East Government Office Regions, 1981-2003 
			  Age groups  1981  1982  1983  1984  1985  1986  1987  1988  1989 
			 20-24 0.7 1.1 1.6 1.7 0.6 0.9 1.4 1.3 1.8 
			 25-29 5.9 5.9 7.2 7.2 6.8 8.1 8.4 7.3 8.0 
			 30-34 22.5 21.5 22.3 18.7 24.1 24.1 21.5 23.0 25.5 
			 35-39 40.4 46.6 46.5 52.5 52.7 56.6 61.1 51.8 61.5 
			 40-44 101.1 100.5 100.1 88.0 103.1 95.9 98.5 107.9 113.5 
			 45-49 134.5 141.9 143.7 140.0 155.5 151.1 162.9 154.5 174.8 
			 50-54 143.2 164.7 148.7 142.5 172.6 166.9 166.1 189.1 204.3 
		
	
	
		
			  Age groups  1990  1991  1992  1993  1994  1995  1996 
			 20-24 1.6 2.2 1.4 2.5 1.1 1.0 1.0 
			 25-29 8.7 6.7 7.6 7.6 8.0 7.7 10.2 
			 30-34 23.0 24.9 29.3 26.9 31.0 24.4 28.9 
			 35-39 56.2 60.2 67.0 55.0 61.1 65.1 68.9 
			 40-44 105.8 112.4 118.8 115.1 112.6 114.3 118.0 
			 45-49 175.8 172.2 192.2 183.8 195.0 180.6 180.9 
			 50-54 224.8 241.2 265.3 237.4 261.7 270.4 278.5 
		
	
	
		
			  Age groups  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003 
			 20-24 2.3 1.4 0.2 1.6 0.6 1.8 0.6 
			 25-29 10.3 7.9 6.8 8.4 7.0 8.4 7.9 
			 30-34 26.8 28.2 29.2 24.5 23.4 25.8 27.3 
			 35-39 67.9 55.2 61.1 68.4 63.0 57.8 61.0 
			 40-44 113.7 119.8 119.7 113.7 119.7 107.9 110.9 
			 45-49 206.5 195.2 187.5 179.6 173.6 177.5 189.8 
			 50-54 291.9 274.5 276.3 275.9 279.0 259.2 270.6 
		
	
	
		
			  Age-specific incidence rates( 1)  of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer, England and Wales excluding London and South East Government Office Regions, 1981-2003 
			  Age groups  1981  1982  1983  1984  1985  1986  1987  1988  1989 
			 20-24 1.0 0.6 1.0 1.4 0.6 0.8 1.6 1.3 1.3 
			 25-29 6.9 6.6 5.9 6.1 7.2 6.8 7.0 7.7 7.6 
			 30-34 19.8 20.0 22.5 22.6 23.3 24.3 25.4 24.3 25.3 
			 35-39 51.7 53.2 49.8 47.6 52.1 58.3 52.4 54.1 58.2 
			 40-44 94.5 94.9 91.4 92.7 100.2 104.1 98.6 102.8 109.1 
			 45-49 137.9 144.8 134.9 139.2 146.9 147.6 157.3 157.8 163.6 
			 50-54 146.1 144.1 145.9 150.0 157.0 166.0 164.8 176.7 181.0 
		
	
	
		
			  Age groups  1990  1991  1992  1993  1994  1995  1996 
			 20-24 1.2 0.9 0.8 0.8 1.1 1.4 1.1 
			 25-29 7.0 6.2 9.0 8.4 8.1 7.7 7.4 
			 30-34 23.6 24.3 26.8 26.8 25.0 28.8 27.3 
			 35-39 55.6 58.6 57.7 61.6 62.2 59.1 60.1 
			 40-44 98.9 103.1 109.4 104.6 117.1 104.5 112.4 
			 45-49 156.4 167.5 177.5 175.8 179.8 175.6 185.3 
			 50-54 203.5 238.7 248.6 240.8 245.7 256.2 261.4 
		
	
	
		
			  Age groups  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003 
			 20-24 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.7 1.5 0.5 
			 25-29 9.5 8.4 9.1 9.3 7.1 6.7 6.8 
			 30-34 29.5 26.8 28.1 26.9 28.5 27.9 26.4 
			 35-39 61.8 60.1 63.9 61.9 65.3 64.5 65.2 
			 40-44 112.5 115.3 121.2 119.3 113.6 108.5 121.4 
			 45-49 191.8 183.7 189.5 185.6 183.5 179.8 176.3 
			 50-54 275.0 271.9 293.0 280.7 279.9 268.7 276.2 
		
	
	
		
			  Age-specific incidence rates( 1)  of newly diagnosed cases of cancer of the cervix, London and South East Government Office Regions, 1981-2003 
			  Age groups  1981  1982  1983  1984  1985  1986  1987  1988  1989 
			 20-24 2.3 2.3 0.9 2.2 2.7 2.3 1.9 1.1 1.4 
			 25-29 8.9 8.5 10.1 8.5 10.9 9.2 7.9 4.6 7.0 
			 30-34 13.0 16.2 14.1 18.1 19.4 17.6 16.9 16.4 16.5 
			 35-39 17.2 16.3 21.0 20.2 22.8 21.3 20.0 24.1 27.9 
			 40-44 19.3 20.5 22.6 17.8 22.7 21.0 21.8 17.4 18.4 
			 45-49 20.9 17.8 18.2 20.3 21.7 23.2 29.3 21.2 22.6 
			 50-54 19.6 19.8 17.3 20.5 15.4 17.5 16.4 22.0 18.8 
		
	
	
		
			  Age groups  1990  1991  1992  1993  1994  1995  1996 
			 20-24 2.0 2.5 0.7 0.9 1.3 1.4 0.8 
			 25-29 9.8 5.9 6.5 6.6 6.1 5.7 7.1 
			 30-34 13.9 13.5 13.5 13.0 10.9 13.5 11.7 
			 35-39 18.7 19.4 20.6 15.1 15.7 15.8 12.3 
			 40-44 21.9 16.2 13.2 20.4 16.0 15.4 16.5 
			 45-49 21.2 18.4 18.7 21.5 11.4 16.4 13.6 
			 50-54 19.5 17.3 14.6 16.3 12.1 14.9 13.1 
		
	
	
		
			  Age groups  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003 
			 20-24 2.7 1.7 0.4 2.2 1.0 2.0 2.4 
			 25-29 6.4 7.7 7.5 7.1 5.2 7.2 7.0 
			 30-34 10.9 10.2 8.8 11.8 8.0 10.8 11.6 
			 35-39 14.5 15.9 12.8 10.1 10.5 11.6 12.1 
			 40-44 15.4 13.5 12.3 12.5 12.9 10.4 12.3 
			 45-49 14.7 12.3 11.4 13.5 12.6 11.4 8.5 
			 50-54 12.3 7.0 13.4 9.0 9.5 11.1 12.1 
		
	
	
		
			  Age-specific incidence rates( 1)  of newly diagnosed cases of cancer of the cervix, England and Wales excluding London and South East Government Office Regions, 1981-2003 
			  Age groups  1981  1982  1983  1984  1985  1986  1987  1988  1989 
			 20-24 1.9 2.2 2.2 1.6 2.7 2.4 3.0 3.0 2.1 
			 25-29 13.6 11.6 15.3 13.0 14.2 15.7 11.0 13.4 11.3 
			 30-34 22.6 20.1 23.5 27.2 29.5 28.1 27.7 29.9 25.2 
			 35-39 21.2 21.5 22.1 27.8 28.8 30.9 28.8 34.9 30.5 
			 40-44 24.3 24.5 24.5 24.8 27.0 26.1 29.8 26.5 25.7 
			 45-49 23.2 21.2 19.0 24.3 26.1 27.2 25.5 26.3 24.1 
			 50-54 23.7 20.7 21.7 22.8 24.6 23.5 22.5 27.2 21.7 
		
	
	
		
			  Age group  1990  1991  1992  1993  1994  1995  1996 
			 20-24 3.0 2.2 2.3 2.1 3.9 2.1 2.6 
			 25-29 10.1 10.3 10.7 9.0 10.6 11.4 10.5 
			 30-34 23.6 22.5 20.3 21.3 22.2 17.3 18.3 
			 35-39 32.6 27.2 24.6 25.9 22.8 21.1 19.9 
			 40-44 30.3 24.3 21.2 23.1 21.0 18.3 19.4 
			 45-49 26.0 20.7 19.1 17.3 17.8 17.2 16.8 
			 50-54 24.9 21.1 17.0 15.6 17.1 14.1 12.7 
		
	
	
		
			  Age group  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003 
			 20-24 2.9 2.6 2.2 3.7 3.4 2.7 4.3 
			 25-29 12.9 10.4 11.5 10.7 10.8 10.7 13.8 
			 30-34 16.7 17.1 17.9 15.9 17.3 17.0 17.4 
			 35-39 19.5 21.0 18.7 16.7 18.3 19.3 14.5 
			 40-44 18.8 18.1 22.2 18.3 18.0 14.3 14.5 
			 45-49 14.2 14.9 14.9 15.0 16.3 11.6 12.1 
			 50-54 12.8 13.2 13.3 11.9 11.4 10.2 10.4 
			  Source:  Office for National Statistics (1 )Rate per 100,000 female population

Car Clubs

Colin Challen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend enterprise investment scheme relief to car clubs.

Dawn Primarolo: The enterprise investment scheme (EIS) provides tax relief to individuals who invest in certain unquoted, trading companies. Most trades qualify, as long as they are conducted on a commercial basis, but some are excluded, including those involving leasing or hiring. Companies whose trade involves these activities to a substantial degree do not qualify under EIS.
	Car clubs are unlikely to qualify under the EIS. Many of them are organised on a not-for-profit basis and so are not trading on a commercial basis with a view to profit. And to the extent that car clubs are trading on a commercial basis with a view to profit, their trade would generally involve the leasing or hiring of vehicles.
	So we would generally not expect car clubs to be qualifying companies under the EIS. Nor do we have plans to extend the scheme to provide for investment in car clubs.

Children's Trust Funds

Ben Wallace: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of families on low incomes have taken up children's trust funds.

Edward Balls: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him on 26 January 2006,  Official Report, column 2253W. The next set of child trust fund statistics is due at the end of May.

Competitiveness

William McCrea: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the relative competitiveness of the economies of each country in the UK.

John Healey: This Government have put into place policies to make long-term sustainable improvements to the UK economy and the economies of each of the UK's constituent countries, including:
	establishing a national macroeconomic framework to promote economic stability; and
	devolving significant responsibilities, including aspects of economic decision-making, to each of the countries.
	The ONS has published nominal gross value added of each of the four countries of the United Kingdom up until 2004. These figures show that all the countries' economies have grown strongly. Since 1997, the output per person has grown each year, on average, by between 4.4 per cent. and 4.9 per cent., as shown in the following table. Employment levels have also grown substantially in each country.
	
		
			  Table 1. Countries' economic performance. 
			   Percentage 
			   Average annual nominal growth rate (1997-2004)  Change in employment level (1997-2005) 
			 England 4.9 8.8 
			 Northern Ireland 4.7 11.8 
			 Scotland 4.4 8.3 
			 Wales 4.4 9.9 
		
	
	Further details of the size of each of the UK's countries and regions can be found on the Office of National Statistics website at the following address:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp? vlnk=7359

Correspondence

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Paymaster General will reply to my letters of 14 March and 25 April 2006 concerning constituents Mr. and Mrs. Shirley of Belper, Derbyshire, and their claim for tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: I have done so.

Data Sharing

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recommendations the Citizen Information Project made on two-way data sharing with  (a) the National Identity Register and  (b) other public sector databases.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Written Statement made by my hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 18 April 2006.
	The final report published by CIP on 19 April 2006 is available at www.gro.gov.uk/cip/.

Debt Collectors

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether  (a) his Department or  (b) its (i) executive agencies and (ii) non-departmental bodies use the services of private debt collectors.

John Healey: Neither the Treasury nor any of its agencies or non-departmental public bodies use private debt collectors. HM Revenue and Customs does have limited powers to use external bailiff companies for debt collection. HMRC currently uses these for some aspects of debt collection for indirect taxes and, in certain circumstances, for the service of legal documents.

Departmental Budget

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent on advertising by his Department in each of the last three years.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Members for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) and for Monmouth (David T.C. Davies) on 6 July 2005,  Official Report, column 433W. The Treasury's spending on advertising in 2005-06 was 3,115,000; 3 million of this was the media spend (excluding VAT) within a publicity campaign running from September 2006 to March 2006 to raise awareness of Stakeholder savings and investment products.

Departmental Staff

Katy Clark: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) women and  (b) men are employed in the Department; what the average pay was for (i) women and (ii) men in the Department in (A) 1997 and (B) 2006; what women's average pay is as a percentage of men's average pay; and how many (1) women and (2) men the Department employed in each of the last five years, broken down by grade.

John Healey: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the civil service by Department. This includes data on the employment of men and women.
	The average pay for Treasury staff in 1997 is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The average pay for January 2006 is shown in the following tables:
	
		
			  Figures as at January 2006 
			   Women ()  Men ()  Female salary as percentage of male salary 
			 SCS 73,689 73,664 100 
			 Grade 6/7 44,831 45,004 99 
			 SEO/HEO 28,391 29,255 97 
			 EO 22,307 22,103 101 
			 AO 19,132 17,854 107 
			 AA 17,045 16,121 106 
		
	
	
		
			  Staff in post figures for the last five years 
			   Male  Female  Total 
			 SCS 72 42 114 
			 Grade 6/7 215 115 330 
			 SEO/HEO 224 151 375 
			 EO 62 74 136 
			 AO 39 88 127 
			 AA 3 6 9 
		
	
	
		
			  1 April 2005 
			   Male  Female  Total 
			 SCS 84 35 119 
			 Grade 6/7 197 122 319 
			 SEO/HEO 218 136 354 
			 EO 72 73 145 
			 AO 42 101 143 
			 AA 2 12 14 
		
	
	
		
			  1 April 2004 
			   Male  Female  Total 
			 SCS 70 28 98 
			 Grade 6/7 189 101 290 
			 SEO/HEO 212 143 355 
			 EO 72 67 139 
			 AO 56 101 157 
			 AA 4 13 17 
		
	
	
		
			  1 April 2003 
			   Male  Female  Total 
			 SCS 66 16 82 
			 Grade 6/7 180 81 261 
			 SEO/HEO 213 121 334 
			 EO 71 67 138 
			 AO 58 108 166 
			 AA 5 18 23 
		
	
	
		
			  1 April 2002 
			   Male  Female  Total 
			 SCS 67 14 81 
			 Grade 6/7 187 74 261 
			 SEO/HEO 213 102 315 
			 EO 62 64 126 
			 AO 67 121 188 
			 AA 4 18 22

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff surveys have been conducted in his Department in each of the last three years.

John Healey: There have been three Treasury-wide staff attitude surveys in the period, one in each year.

Departmental Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what facility is available for senior civil servants in his Department to use credit cards supplied by the Department.

John Healey: HM Treasury operates a corporate credit card programme, which is available to any member of staff (subject to appropriate authorisation) who is frequently required to travel on official business.
	HM Treasury also operates a Government procurement card (GPC) programme, which is available to any member of staff (subject to appropriate authorisation) to enable them to make small-value purchases on behalf of the Department.

Digital Switchover

Mark Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of potential revenue from the sale of UHF spectrum released by the digital switchover programme.

John Healey: HM Treasury has made no such estimate, as it is not possible at this stage to make any reliable assumption of the market value or potential auction proceeds of the spectrum released by switchover.

Divorce

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many divorces there have been in the UK in each year since 2000, broken down by ethnic group.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 17 May 2006:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your request for the number of divorces in the UK since 2000, broken down by ethnic group. (71221)
	As ethnic group is not collected by the Court Service at the time of divorce, the information requested is not available centrally. The total number of divorces in the UK for each year since 2000 is available in Table 2.1 of Population Trends, available at www.statistics.gov.uk/poptrends.

EU Customs Union Committee

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the UK members of the EU Customs Union Committee; on which dates this Committee met during the past 12 months; and whether the minutes of the Committee meetings are published.

Dawn Primarolo: The EU Customs Union Committee met on the following dates:
	5 April 2005
	5-6 May 2005
	21 June 2005
	18 July 2005
	8 September 2005
	22-23 September 2005
	28 October 2005
	21 November 2005
	6-7 December 2005
	10 January 2006
	26-27 January 2006
	13 February 2006
	23-24 February 2006
	14 March 2006
	27-28 March 2006
	4 April 2006
	20-21 April 2006
	5 May 2006.
	Officials from HMRC and UKRep represented the UK. The Minutes of the meetings are published on the Council Secretariat's website:
	(http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.ASP?id=1lang=enmode=g)

Financial Reporting Advisory Board

Mark Harper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will appoint a representative from each of the three main political parties as a full member of the Financial Reporting Advisory Board.

Stephen Timms: No. The Financial Reporting Advisory Board (FRAB) is an independent body fulfilling the role required by the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 as the
	'group of persons who appear to the Treasury to be appropriate to advise on financial reporting principles and standards'
	for government. The board acts independently in setting accounting standards for government. It exists to promote the highest possible standards in financial reporting, ensuring that any adaptations of, or departures from, generally accepted accounting practice are appropriate.
	FRAB submits an annual report to Parliament, outlining its activities for that year. In addition, as part of its publication scheme under the Freedom of Information Act, the FRAB publishes the minutes of its meetings (together with supporting papers) on its website (www.frab.gov.uk) once the minutes have been agreed at a subsequent meeting.
	The board's membership reflects the constituents it serves (with representation from, for example, departments, audit agencies, the NHS and the devolved administrations) plus representation from the private sector. Parliament's interests are already met by having a parliamentary observer, supported by the Committee Office Scrutiny Unit.

Financial Reporting Advisory Board

Mark Harper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to appoint a new Parliamentary Observer to the Financial Reporting Advisory Board.

Stephen Timms: I am pleased that the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Flello) has agreed to be the Parliamentary Observer to the Financial Reporting Advisory Board. He recently attended his first board meeting.

Government Spending

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total capital expenditure on roads was in England in each year since 1999-2000.

Stephen Ladyman: I have been asked to reply.
	Details of capital expenditure on roads in England are published annually in Transport Statistics Great Britain, which is a major publication within the scope of National Statistics, and can be found in the House Library. Table 1.15 of Transport Statistics Great Britain 2005 sets out both central and local government capital expenditure on roads. The data is broken down by country and across the time series 2000-01 through to 2004-05. Data for 1999-2000 can be found in the 2004 edition.

Hairdressing Bills

Philip Dunne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether hairdressing bills declared as an election expense are treated by HM Revenue and Customs as a benefit in kind.

Dawn Primarolo: Whether a paid expense is taxed as an employment-related benefit will depend on the circumstances in which it is provided. There are no special rules for election expenses.

HM Revenue and Customs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of Option Two mentioned in item 10 of the summary minutes of the meeting of theHM Revenue and Customs Executive Committee held on 11 October 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Following the postponement of the English council tax revaluation, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) considered options for reducing its work force whilst securing the investment made in consultation with HMRC's Executive Committee prior to advising Ministers.
	My hon. Friends the Minister for Communities and Local Government and the Minister for Local Government explained the approach in the Second Reading debate on the Council Tax (New Valuation Lists for England) Bill in the House on 7 November 2005. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) on 21 November 2005,  Official Report, column 1701W.

HM Revenue and Customs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what purpose HM Revenue and Customs purchased Mosaic UK data from Experian; whether the data was at  (a) individual and  (b) household level; and how much was spent.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs uses commercially available information to assist it in carrying out its functions in relation to the detection and prevention of crime and fraud, the assessment and collection of tax and improving the department's service to its customers. It would not be appropriate to comment in more detail on the acquisition (including cost) and use of particular datasets as to do so could prejudice law enforcement and commercial interests.

House Purchase Expenses

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  whether VAT is levied on local authority search fees;
	(2)  what estimate HM Revenue and Customs has made of the VAT revenue from  (a) surveyor and valuation fees and  (b) local authority search fees in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Dawn Primarolo: Local authority search fees are outside the scope of VAT.
	No estimate of the VAT revenue has been made.

House Purchase Expenses

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average stamp duty paid by first-time home buyers was in 1997.

Edward Balls: It is not possible to derive an estimate of average stamp duty for first time buyers from stamp duty land tax data as there is no requirement for taxpayers to provide information to HMRC as to whether they are a first-time buyer. However, the Department for Communities and Local Government estimates that the average stamp duty paid by first time buyers (excluding sitting tenants) with mortgages in 1997 was 280.

Income Tax

Alex Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the expected yield in income tax was from a 1p change in the UK  (a) starting,  (b) basic and  (c) higher rate of income tax in each year since 1995; and what estimates have been made of the yields for future years;
	(2)  what proportion of the UK income tax yield was raised in Scotland in each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: The latest information on expected yields from changing the starting rate, basic rate or higher rate by 1p is available in Table 1.6 Direct effects of illustrative tax changes which is available onHM Revenue and Customs website; http://www.hmrc. gov.uk/stats/taxexpenditures/1_6_apr06.xls
	The information is for the years 2006-07 to 2008-09 and similar updated information for previous years is not available. However, estimates for previous years based on prior economic assumptions can found in Table 4 Direct effects of illustrative changes in income tax from earlier editions of the publication Tax ready reckoner and tax reliefs which are available in the House of Commons Library.
	Tax receipts figures for Scotland are not readily available. Instead, the following table provides estimates of Scotland's share of UK income tax liabilities since 1997-98.
	
		
			   Income tax liabilities ( billion) 
			   Scotland?amounts of income tax liabilities  ( billion)  Scotland's share of UK income tax liabilities (percentage) 
			 1997-98 6.2 7.8 
			 1998-99 6.5 7.3 
			 1999-2000 6.5 7.0 
			 2000-01 7.3 6.9 
			 2001-02 7.6 7.1 
			 2002-03 7.8 7.1 
			 2003-04 8.1 7.3 
			 2004-05(1) 85 7.3 
			 2005-06(1) 9.0 7.3 
			 2006-07(1) 9.5 7.3 
			 (1) Projections 
		
	
	The income tax information is based on the Survey of Personal Income (SPI), The latest survey year is 2003-04 and all estimates post that year are based on the 2003-04 SPI projected forward in line with Budget 2006 HM Treasury assumptions.

Inheritance Tax (Northern Ireland)

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many estates in Northern Ireland inheritance tax was paid in each of the last five years; and how much was paid.

Dawn Primarolo: The following table supplies the information requested for the last five years for which figures are available.
	
		
			  Inheritance tax where country of domicile was Northern Ireland 
			   Number of estates paying tax  Receipts ( million) 
			 2000-01 600 37 
			 2001-02 500 27 
			 2002-03 500 30 
			 2003-04(1) 600 28 
			 2004-05(1) 500 26 
			 (1 )Receipts for 2003-04 and 2004-05 are estimated from information on the number of estates paying tax in those years.

National Insurance Contributions

Mark Oaten: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  when he expects HM Revenue and Customs tohave recorded national insurance contributions for (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2004-05 and  (c) 2005-06;
	(2)  what targets he has set HM Revenue and Customs to record national insurance contributions in each of the last three years; and whether these targets have been met.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC achieved its PSA target to record 98 per cent. of relevant national insurance data contained in Employer's Annual Returns for both the 2002-03 and 2003-04 tax years by 31 March 2004 and 31 March 2005 respectively.
	The same target applied for the 2004-05 tax year and was achieved on 30 April 2006, one month late.
	For 2005-06 tax year the target is to record 100 per cent. of relevant national insurance data contained in Employer's Annual Returns by 31 March 2007 and we expect that this target will be met.

National Insurance Contributions

Mark Oaten: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to speed up the recording by HM Revenue and Customs of national insurance contributions.

Dawn Primarolo: Last year HMRC implemented the Modernising PAYE Processes for Customers (MPPC) Programme to facilitate and encourage the filing of Employer's Annual Returns electronically. As a result the target to record relevant national insurance data contained in 2005-06 Employer's Annual Returns has been increased to 99 per cent. by 31 December 2006 and 100 per cent. by 31 March 2007.

National Insurance Contributions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average age was at which individuals began to pay national insurance contributions in each of the last 10 years.

Dawn Primarolo: The most common ages for individuals to pay national insurance contributions for the first time are 16, 17 and 18. However, later starters leads to a higher arithmetic average (mean) of around 20 to 22 years of age as shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Average age of individuals who started to pay national insurance contributions in each year 
			   Male  Female  All 
			 1994-95 20 22 21 
			 1995-96 20 21 21 
			 1996-97 20 22 21 
			 1997-98 20 21 20 
			 1998-99 20 21 21 
			 1999-2000 20 21 21 
			 2000-01 21 21 21 
			 2001-02 21 21 21 
			 2002-03 21 21 21 
			 2003-04 21 22 21 
			  Notes:  1. The table shows the average age of individuals at the start (6 April) of the year for which they make their first national insurance contributions (Classes 1, 2 or 3).  2. Based on the 1 per cent. Lifetime Labour Market Database extract from the National Insurance Recording System in May 2005.  3. Latest available year is 2003-04, and recent years are subject to revision.  4. Since 1999, Class 1 NICs are only payable above the personal threshold although they are treated as paid on earnings between the lower earnings limit and the threshold. The figures above look only at individuals paying contributions and determine the earliest year for which they had made such a payment.  5. Average age has been rounded to the nearest year.

Personal Income Tax Allowance

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of raising the personal income tax allowance to 7,500, abolishing the 10p starting rate of income tax, raising the basic rate limit to 42,500 and abolishing age-related allowances.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 16 May 2006
	Introducing the proposed tax changes simultaneously would cost about 11 billion in 2006-07.
	The estimate assumes:
	a universal personal allowance of 7,500,
	absorbing the starting rate band on earnings and savings in the basic rate band, with tax rates on dividends unchanged,
	increasing the basic rate limit to 42,500,
	and abolishing the married couples allowances available for couples aged 72 and over.
	The estimates are based on the 2003-04 Survey of Personal Incomes projected forward to 2006-07 in line with Budget 2006 assumptions.
	The figure excludes any estimate of behavioural response to the tax changes which could be significant given the scale of the changes.

Private Office Staff

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been paid in  (a) salary,  (b) travelling expenses,  (c) subsistence allowance and  (d) removal expenses to special advisers in his private office in each of the last three years.

John Healey: Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the names and overall cost of special advisers and the number in each pay band. For information relating to the last financial year I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 July 2005,  Official Report, columns 158-61WS.
	Information on special advisers for this financial year is currently being collected and will be published in the normal way when it is ready.
	In relation to special advisers' travel and subsistence expenses, I refer to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) on 16 March 2006,  Official Report, column 2411W. All official travel by special advisers is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.
	There have been no special advisers' removal expenses in the last three financial years.

Rice Imports

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue was raised in  (a) 2004 and  (b) 2005 from imports into the UK of rice (combined nomenclature 1006) from (i) Egypt, (ii) Guyana, (iii) India, (iv) Pakistan, (v) Thailand and (vi) the United States.

Dawn Primarolo: The customs duty declared in respect of rice imported into the UK is in the following table.
	
		
			   
			   2004  2005 
			 Egypt 1,427,587.80 952,488.41 
			 Guyana 218,252.42  
			 India 587,123.55 735,473.92 
			 Pakistan 491,008.58 1,043,962.57 
			 Thailand 2,130,163.11 1,743,046.84 
			 USA 5,699,799.08 3,900,169.50

Student Loans

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of people affected by problems with in-tax year changes in employer and consequent effects on student loan repayments; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Approximately 13 million employees moved between jobs in the 2004-05 tax year but only a small proportion of these would be likely to be repaying a student loan. No information is available to provide the estimate requested.

Student Loans

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many students have contacted HM Revenue and Customs in each year since 2002 with queries relating to student loans where the problem has arisen because of a change in employer during the tax year; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available.

Tamworth

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many residents of Tamworth worked outside the constituency in  (a) 1981,  (b) 1991,  (c) 2001 and  (d) the most recent year for which figures are available.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 17 May 2006.
	I am replying as National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales to your recent question asking the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many residents of Tamworth worked outside of the constituency in  (a) 1981,  (b) 1991 and  (c) 2001 and  (d) the most recent year for which figures are available. (71242)
	As Tamworth Parliamentary Constituency did not exist in 1981 no data are available for this year. Data from the 2001 census are the most recent figures available.
	
		
			  Tamworth parliamentary constituency 
			   Works in Tamworth  Works Outside Tamworth 
			 1991 (1)20,168 (1)19,406 
			 2001 23,999 21,447 
			  Notes:( 1)In 1991 responses to workplace questions were only processed for approximately 10% of the population. The figures in this table have been grossed up by a factor of10.16 to account for this.   Source:  1991 and 2001 Census Data

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit claims have been terminated due to the ending of a joint claim by a married couple or partners in each month since April 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member on 10 May 2006,  Official Report, column 289W.
	Information on the number of joint tax credit claims terminated in each month since April 2003 is not available except at disproportionate cost.

Tax Credits

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken  (a) to identify and  (b) to combat tax credit fraud; and how much was spent on such steps in the last year for which figures are available.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC takes fraud very seriously and as part of its everyday activity, continually examines its approach to tackling fraudintroducing new measures and initiatives where necessary. It would be inappropriate to give specific details of these as it could aid those seeking to gain through fraud.
	The operating costs for directly tackling tax credit fraud in 2005-06 was approximately 39.5 million.

Tax Credits

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much financial assistance was provided by HM Revenue and Customs to voluntary organisations to assist the public on tax credit issues in each year such assistance has been provided, broken down by  (a) organisation and  (b) region.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 12 May 2006
	HMRC has provided financial assistance to voluntary organisations on tax credits issues since new tax credits were introduced in 2003. The sum of the financial support provided in each of the financial years since then is:
	
		
			
			 2002-03 308,650 
			 2003-04 323,922 
			 2004-05 644,361 
			 2005-06 559,926 
		
	
	 National Organisations in receipt of funding
	Citizens Advice (2002-06)
	Child Poverty Action Group (2002-06)
	Maternity Alliance (2002-06)
	TaxAid (2002-06)
	Daycare Trust (2002-04; 2005-06)
	One Parent Families (2002-03; 2004-06)
	The Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations (2003-04)
	Contact a Family (2003-06)
	Disability Alliance (2003-06)
	Gingerbread (2003-06)
	CEMVO (2004-06)
	RNIB (2004-05)
	 Locally based organisations in receipt of funding
	Advice Service Alliance (Northern Ireland) (2003-04; 2005-06)
	Citizens Advice Motherwell (2005-06)
	Citizens Advice Dalkeith (2005-06)
	Citizens Advice Brighton (2005-06)
	Community Links (2005-06)
	Hackney Voluntary Action (2005-06)

Tax Office (Isle of Wight)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the parishes or, where smaller, the electoral divisions of the Isle of Wight; what proportion of the population of each lies within the core catchment area of the Newport, Isle of Wight tax office; where he expects other island residents to conduct their face-to-face tax transactions; what criteria inform the definition of the core catchment area and its population; what definition of Newport town centre he used for the purpose of the impact assessment for relocating the Newport tax office; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the diversity and equality screen recommended in connection with the relocation of the Newport tax office.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 11 May 2006
	I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 9 May 2006,  Official Report, column 123W.
	HMRC is relocating its Newport Enquiry Centre. It will continue to offer a face-to-face service in Newport and this service will continue to be available to all customers of HMRC on the Isle of Wight. HMRC is also maintaining its regular presence at the Ryde Help Centre.

Teenage Pregnancies

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many girls under the age of 16 years  (a) became pregnant and  (b) gave birth in each of the last 10 years, broken down by age.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 17 May 2006:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many girls under the age of 16 years (a) became pregnant and (b) gave birth in each of the last 10 years, broken down by age. (71653)
	Conception statistics include pregnancies that result in one or more live or still births (a maternity) or a legal abortion under the Abortion Act 1967 (an abortion).
	Conception statistics for girls aged under 14 by single year of age are not published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to protect the confidentiality of individual's information due to small number of events at younger ages. Therefore figures are provided for all girls aged under 14 combined.
	Number of conceptions and conceptions leading to maternities for girls aged under 14, 14 and 15 for England and Wales from 1995 to 2004 (the most recent year for which figures are available) are given in the table below.
	
		
			  Number of total conceptions and conceptions leading to maternity, England and Wales, 1995 to 2004( 1) 
			   Age of woman at conception 
			   Under 14  14  15 
			  Year of conception  Total conception  Conception leading to maternity  Total conception  Conception leading to maternity  Total conception  Conception leading to maternity 
			 1995 382 150 1,834 878 5,835 3,190 
			 1996 451 192 1,961 838 6,445 3,468 
			 1997 365 149 1,964 866 5,942 3,149 
			 1998 423 170 1,988 821 6,041 3,032 
			 1999 406 174 1,866 785 5,673 2,803 
			 2000 397 161 1,890 790 5,827 2,779 
			 2001 400 179 1,890 729 5,613 2,584 
			 2002 390 149 1,858 719 5,627 2,629 
			 2003 334 128 1,888 676 5,802 2,611 
			 2004(1) 341 132 1,751 648 5,521 2,486 
			 (1) Provisional.

Telephone Advice Lines

Andrew Love: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many telephone advice lines his Department and its non-departmental public bodies support; howmany telephone advisers each employs; and  (a) how much funding is provided to each by his Department and its non-departmental public bodies,  (b) other Government Departments,  (c) the private sector and  (d) the voluntary sector.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is as follows
	 HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
	HMRC operates a wide range of help and advice lines for members of the public. These are directly managed and funded by the Department through a network of some 29 Contact Centres currently employing around 9,100 full time equivalent staff and handling in the region of 50 million calls a year. It would only be possible to provide information on individual lines at disproportionate cost.
	 Valuation Office Agency (VOA)
	The Valuation Office Agency supports two telephone advice lines that are in operation when business needs dictate. The last two uses were for the 2005 Non-Domestic Revaluation for England and Wales and the 2005 Welsh Council Tax revaluation.
	The staff operating these lines are Valuation Office Agency staff who return to other duties when the lines are not in use. The staffing budget does not show a separate figure for staff employed on this duty.
	 General Register Office (GRO)
	The GRO has four Advice lines that cover: certificate requests, Births, Marriages and the Local Register. A total of 36 staff are employed on these advice lines and they are funded entirely by the GRO.
	 Office for National Statistics (ONS)
	The ONS has four main advice lines and employs 22 staff. These lines cover: National Statistics Customer Contact Centre (one UK line and one EU line that is 70 per cent. funded by EU money); Public Enquiry Line; Census Customer Service Retail and Prices Index Help Line.
	All of the lines except for the small piece NS Customer contact 2 for EU is funded by ONS.
	 Royal Mint
	The Royal Mint has a dedicated line that deals with public enquiries. It also has access to 43 further lines that are normally used to deal with telephone orders from retail customers. Some of these lines are periodically used to deal with public inquiries if an increase in demand deems it necessary. The cost of these lines is totally funded by Royal Mint.
	 Government Actuaries Department (GAD)
	GAD publishes two telephone numbers to enable people to contact GAD direct. GAD does not employ a 'telephone adviser', but manages all inquiries on an ad-hoc basis redirecting them to the specific area of responsibility to answer. The Press Officer, who deals primarily with press-related calls, assists this service. Costs for this service are fully absorbed into the normal running of the department.
	 Debt Management Office (DMO)
	Computershare Investor Services plc provides a phone advice line as part of their contract with HM Treasury for the registration and administration of Government Stocks. The phone line, which usually has four staff, is not separately costed.
	 Office of Government Commerce (OGC)
	The public advice line for OGC is 0845 000 4999 and is staffed by seven OGC telephone advisors. The line is 100 per cent. funded by OGC.
	 National Savings and Investments
	NSI outsourced its operations to Siemens Business Services UK. As such NSI does not employ telephone advice lines or staff to give advice.

Troncs

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the cost has been to his Department of the National Insurance Contributions exemptions on the payment of troncs in each year since 1997;
	(2)  with whom Treasury officials have met to discuss the  (a) retention,  (b) reform and  (c) replacement of the tronc system; and from whom his Department has had representations on this system;
	(3)  how many people  (a) have received payments and  (b) have received payments solely through a tronc system in each year since 1996;
	(4)  how many troncmasters there were in the UK in each year since 1996.

Dawn Primarolo: Information on the cost of national insurance contributions exemptions on the payment of troncs, the number of people receiving payments through a tronc system and the number of troncmasters in the UK is not available.
	There have not been any meetings on the retention, reform or replacement of troncs nor have Treasury officials received representations about the system. HMRC officials have had meetings about revisions to the guidance booklet 'E24 Tips, Gratuities, Service Charges and Troncs'.

Unemployment

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the unemployment rate is, broken down by  (a) sex and  (b) ethnic group.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell dated 17 May 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment rates by gender and ethnic origin. (71231)
	The attached table gives the rates of unemployed people aged 16 and over by gender and ethnic origin, for the three months ending February 2006.
	Estimates are taken from the Office for National Statistics's Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Unemployment rates( 1)  of people aged 16 and over by sex and ethnic origin 
			  Percentage 
			  Three months ending February 2006  All  Men  Women 
			 All origins(2) 5.0 5.5 4.6 
			 White 4.5 4.9 4.1 
			 All ethnic minority groups 11.0 11.7 10.1 
			 Mixed 13.0 17.8 8.4 
			 Asian or Asian British 9.6 9.4 10.0 
			 Black or Black British 12.3 13.4 11.2 
			 Chinese 7.9 7.5 8.3 
			 Other stated ethnic origins 13.4 16.1 9.9 
			 (1) Unemployed aged 16 and over as a percentage of economically active aged 16 and over.  (2 )Includes those who did not state their ethnic origin.   Source:  ONS Labour Force Survey

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 30 November 2005,  Official Report, column 530W, on the Valuation Office Agency, what assessment the  (a) Valuation Office Agency and  (b) HM Revenue and Customs has now made of other uses of the automated valuation model.

Dawn Primarolo: The Valuation Office Agency (VGA) believes that the automated valuation model can be effective as a tool to support decision making.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the Valuation Office Agency's electronic data sharing agreement with the Land Registry.

Dawn Primarolo: The Memorandum of Understanding between the Valuation Office Agency and HM Land Registry has been placed in the Library.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Office for National Statistics has access to  (a) the Valuation Office Agency's Council Tax Valuation Lists and  (b) dwellinghouse coding details.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, date 17 May 2006:
	As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking whether the Office for National Statistics has access to  (a) the Valuation Office Agency's Council Tax Valuation Lists and  (b) dwellinghouse coding details.
	A number of areas within the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have at times had access to the Valuation Office Agency's Council Tax Valuation Lists and dwellinghouse coding details. For example, ONS provided a bureau service to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now Department for Communities and Local Government) and the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to geo-reference 2001, 2002 and 2003 valuation list data which enabled aggregated and non-disclosive dwellings statistics by council tax bands for small areas to be disseminated on the Neighbourhood Statistics website.
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=9616 Pos=ColRank=1Rank=272
	This required access to valuation lists and coding details to which VOA retained ownership. ONS is no longer required to provide a bureau service.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Valuation Office Agency's 2005-06 annual report will be published.

Dawn Primarolo: It is expected that the Agency's 2005-06 annual report and accounts will be laid before Parliament in the week commencing 12 June.

VAT Fraud

Edward Davey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what guidance his Department has produced for  (a) businesses and  (b) consumers regarding missing trader intra-community (carousel) VAT fraud.
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the revenue lost through missing trader intra-community (carousel) VAT fraud in each year since 2001; and what  (a) plans he has and  (b) resources he has allocated to tackle such fraud.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 2 May 2006,  Official Report, columns 1455-56W, to the hon. Member for Twickenham(Dr. Cable).
	HMRC have committed significant additional resources to strengthen their strategy, and there are now over 1,000 staff engaged in tackling Missing Trader Intra-Community (MTIC) VAT fraud.
	HMRC have published 'Notice 726Joint and Several Liability in the Supply of Specified Goods' and VAT Strategy: Input Tax deduction without a valid VAT invoiceStatement of Practice July 2003'. These contain guidance for businesses on specific measures that have been introduced to tackle VAT fraud, including reasonable checks that they can make in order to satisfy themselves of the bona fides of their trading activity and those with whom they trade. Both these publications are available on HMRC's internet site at www.hmrc.gov.uk.
	In addition HMRC are working closely with the Joint VAT Consultative Committee to develop guidance aimed at helping businesses to identify the hallmarks of MTIC fraud.

HEALTH

Accenture

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by  (a) the national health service and  (b) her Department on management consultant services from Accenture in each of the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: Detailed information about contracts for management consultants engaged by NHS bodies is not held centrally.
	The expenditure by the Department directly on management consultancy services provided by Accenture is shown in the table. The Department's current financial system does not hold information or years prior to 2004 and could not obtain this information without incurring disproportionate costs.
	
		
			   000 
			 2004-05 105 
			 2005-06 96

Acute Hospital Trusts

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual capital servicing charges are for each acute hospital trust in England.

Andy Burnham: The capital charges paid by each national health service trust have been placed in the Library. Figures are for 2004-05, which is the latest year available.

Ambulance Services

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to announce her decision on the possible merger of Staffordshire Ambulance Service with other ambulance services.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 16 May 2006
	An oral statement was made to the House on the subject of ambulance and primary care trust configuration on 16 May 2006.

Ambulance Services

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many times ambulances attended emergency mental health cases in each London borough in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what average time ambulances took to convey patients from point of pick-up to hospital in each London borough in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is not collected centrally.
	However, the Department does collect data on the number of emergency calls received by each ambulance trust and data on ambulance response times. These data are published in the statistical bulletin Ambulance Services, England: 2004-05, which is available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/36/79/04113679.pdf. This publication includes data for the London Ambulance National Health Service Trust, which cover the London boroughs.

Autism

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has commissioned into the causes of autism.

Andy Burnham: None. The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Innovation.

Autism

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many finished consultant episodes involving a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders there were between 1990-91 and 1996-97.

Ivan Lewis: Diagnoses of autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) in hospitals are available from hospital episode statistics, as shown in the table.
	
		
			  Number of finished consultant episodes involving a diagnosis of ASDs, England,  1995-96 to 1996-97 
			 1996-97 3,325 
			 1995-96 2,760 
			 ICD-10 code: pervasive developmental disorders 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of finished consultant episodes involving a diagnosis of ASDs, England,  1990-91 to 1994-95 
			 1994-95 1,469 
			 1993-94 1,563 
			 1992-93 1,381 
			 1991-92 1,232 
			 1990-91 1,051 
			 ICD-9 code: infantile autism   Source:  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Information Centre for health and social care, as provided by Data Standards, NHS Connecting for Health 
		
	
	ASDs include childhood autism, atypical autism, Asperger's syndrome, Rett's syndrome, and other less common ASDs.
	The two sets of information are not comparable, as up to 1994-95 figures show diagnoses for children only, and after 1995-96 figures show diagnoses for all ages.

Cancer Services

Ann Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on cancer services in Brentford and Isleworth in each year since 1997.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is not held centrally.

Children's Health Services

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to provide choice to those needing to use child and adolescent mental health services.

Ivan Lewis: The Department has commissioned a Choice in Mental Health programme, which is run by the Care Services Improvement Partnership and the National Institute for Mental Health England. The programme aims to extend the scope, range and equity of choices available for people across the spectrum of care, including child and adolescent mental health services.
	In December 2005, choice local implementation teams were asked to submit a themed review on choice in all age mental health and learning disability services, as part of the mental health national service framework autumn assessment process. A report summarising the key findings of the themed review, including local developments in providing choice to children and adolescent service users, is currently being finalised ahead of publication in June 2006.

Children's Hospices

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent discussions she has had with  (a) ministerial colleagues,  (b) primary care trusts and strategic health authorities and  (c) outside organisations on the funding of children's hospices;
	(2)  if she will make a statement on the  (a) short-term and  (b) long-term funding of children's hospices.

Ivan Lewis: My predecessor Liam Byrne visited the Donna Louise Trust Children's Hospice in Stoke and Great Ormond Street hospital to see the different options available in palliative care for children and young people. He also met with a delegation from Butterwick Hospice and has held a seminar on children's palliative care with a wide range of organisations. A full list of organisations who attended the seminar is shown in the following list. My predecessor has also discussed this issue with ministerial colleagues, including my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State.
	 List of attendeeschildren and young people's palliative care seminar, 9 February 2006.
	 Representatives from:
	Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA)
	Cheshire and Merseyside SHA
	North East London SHA
	Surrey and Sussex SHA
	The Council for Disabled Children
	Contact a Family
	Association for Children with Life Threatening of Life Limiting Access (ACT)
	Association for Children's Hospices (ACH)
	Healthcare Commission
	Commission for Social Care inspection
	Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
	Royal College of Nursing
	Claire House Children's Hospice, Wirral
	East Anglia Children's Hospice
	Chase Hospice Care for Children
	Haven House Hospice, London
	Richard House Children's House, London
	Palliative care for children and young people with a life threatening or life limiting condition requires a wide range of services provided in a variety of settings: hometo look at the level and type of palliative care services for children and young people needed in the different areas and to facilitate how this can be drawn together; school; and hospital or hospiceto enable them to live as normal a life as possible. It is for local decision how these services will be provided but we have published guidance to support primary care trusts, in working with local authorities and other partners (including hospices), to commission high quality services.
	Our manifesto commitment to double funding for end of life care will increase choice about where to receive palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions. A statement will be made about funding the commitment shortly.

Choose and Book System

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to question 54872, on the choose and book pilot scheme, how many patients opted to receive a service outside of their own primary care trust (PCT), broken down by PCT.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Choose and Book System

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate she has made of the proportion of general practitioners using the choose and book service in  (a) England and  (b) Taunton constituency.

Ivan Lewis: Over 95 per cent., of general practitioners (GPs) in England are currently registered to use choose and book and 4,489 (52 per cent.) GP practices in England have made at least one booking using the choose and book service. In the Taunton Deane primary care trust area, 93 per cent. (14 out of 15) of GP practices have made at least one booking using the choose and book service.

Choose and Book System

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health why the choose and book system within the NHS is not used for mental health; and whether there are plans to extend its use to that area.

Ivan Lewis: Choose and book is not currently widely used for mental health services, because the majority of referrals for these services are not from general practitioners to consultants. Where this is the referral route, the system is available for use. At the end of April 2006, choose and book had been used to make 266 bookings to services for the adult mental illness and old age psychiatry specialties.
	However, the national choice consultation in autumn 2003 highlighted the choices which mental health service users feel would most enhance their user experience, these focused on choice of treatment rather than choice of service provider. These findings informed the detailed work carried out to formulate the Government's choice at referral policy and led to the decision not to require mental health services to offer choice of four providers at the point of referral.
	In the light of the national choice consultation's findings, the Department commissioned the choice in mental health programme, which is being run by the National Institute of Mental Health in England. This programme aims to extend the scope, range and equity of treatment choices available across service user pathways.

Dorset and Somerset Strategic Health Authority

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding her Department allocated per head of population in  (a) Taunton constituency,  (b) Dorset and Somerset strategic health authority and  (c) England in each year since 2001.

Andy Burnham: The Department makes revenue allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs), not constituencies or strategic health authorities (SHAs).
	Allocations were first made to PCTs in 2003-04. Prior to this, funding was allocated to health authorities (HAs).
	Allocations per head of population to PCTs covered by Dorset and Somerset SHA and the England average are shown in tables 1 and 2.
	The majority of the population of Taunton constituency is resident in Taunton Deane PCT.
	
		
			  Table 1: HA allocations per head of population 
			  () 
			  Organisation  2001-02  2002-03 
			 Dorset HA 742 813 
			 Somerset HA 695 757 
			 England 738 817 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: PCT allocations per head of population 
			  () 
			  PCT  2003-04  2004-0  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Bournemouth Teaching 949 1,036 1,229 1,328 1,439 
			 Mendip 776 847 1,019 1,111 1,232 
			 North Dorset 822 885 1,053 1,128 1,221 
			 Poole 905 985 1,170 1,264 1,371 
			 Somerset Coast 827 902 1,080 1,214 1,345 
			 South and East Dorset 897 972 1,154 1,253 1,364 
			 South Somerset 843 912 1,080 1,163 1,262 
			 South West Dorset 887 965 1,130 1,225 1,338 
			 Taunton Deane 819 887 1,063 1,147 1,250 
			 England 903 986 1,172 1,274 1,388 
			  Notes:  It is not possible to compare allocations rounds for the following reasons: organisational changes and changes made to the weighted capitation formula for each allocations round, mean that comparisons between allocations rounds would not be on a like with like basis; changes in the services for which PCTs are responsible for funding changes over time. For example, 2006-07 is the first year that primary medical services were incorporated into revenue allocations.

Foster Review

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when she expects to publish the findings of the Foster Review of non-medical healthcare regulation;
	(2)  when she expects to publish the regulatory impact assessment of proposed changes to the regulation of osteopaths;
	(3)  what discussions she has had with the osteopathic profession regarding changes to the regulation of osteopaths; and what assessment she has made of the merits of changes to patient care.

Andy Burnham: We will publish our decisions on the review of non-medical professional regulation and on the Chief Medical Officer's review of medical revalidation and related subjects in due course. A statement will be made at that point. The reviews used a wide range of evidence, including from the osteopathic profession.

General Practitioners

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her Department's press release of 21 March 2006 on the proposed general practitioner Systems of Choice initiative, what assessment she has made of the impact that the initiative will have on contracts with local and national service providers which commit the NHS to buy a minimum volume of services and systems.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on Monday 27 February 2006,  Official Report, column 452W.

General Practitioners

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her Department's press release of 21 March 2006 on the proposed general practitioner Systems of Choice initiative, whether general practitioners will be able to claim back their costs from primary care trust budgets.

Caroline Flint: Under the general practitioner Systems of Choice (GPSoC) proposals funding would be provided for general practice systems that have achieved a GPSoC level of compliance. Capital funding for any necessary hardware improvements, and revenue funding for compliant systems provided by existing system providers, would be included in primary care trust allocations. The NHS Connecting for Health agency will continue to fund local service provider-supplied systems.

General Practitioners

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of general practitioner practices in West Lancashire make referrals using the choose and book system.

Caroline Flint: About 40 per cent. (10 general practitioner practices out of a total of 25) have made at least one booking through the choose and book system.
	 Source
	Connecting for Health

General Practitioners

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners covered out-of-office hours in  (a) England and  (b) Taunton constituency in each year since 1997.

Ivan Lewis: The information is not collected by the Department. It is for individual primary care trusts to ensure that out-of-hours provision in their areas continues to be improved and developed into a better service for patients.

General Practitioners

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her statement of 18 April 2006,  Official Report, column 4, on the general practitioner contract, what the evidential basis was for her statement that thousands of people were alive and well as a result of the contract.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 4 May,  Official Report, column 1776W.

General Practitioners

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of urban dwellers who live more than one mile from their nearest GP practice or outreach surgery.

Andy Burnham: None. However, under section 16CC(1) of the National Health Service Act 1977, primary care trusts must, to the extent that they consider necessary to meet all reasonable requirements, ensure the provision of primary medical services in their localities.

Gershon Review

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much she expects Information and Communication Technology changes to contribute to the Gershon efficiency savings in her Department in 2007-08.

Caroline Flint: The Gershon report Releasing Resources to the Front Line identified three main contributors to front line service (productive time) efficiencyinformation and communication technology (ICT), process redesign and work force reform. Overall, we expect this part of the efficiency programme to deliver savings of at least 2,700 million per year by March 2008.
	Our delivery strategy for this programme recognises that efficiencies are achieved by technology, process and work force changes being delivered together. The national health service uses an integrated service improvement programme (ISIP) to plan and manage service improvement. This programme is a key element of implementing the national programme for information technology. More information is available at www.isip.nhs.uk.
	The approach to measuring benefits reflects this delivery strategy. It therefore measures overall outcome changes rather than the separate contribution of ICT or work force or process change. This approach is explained in the Department's efficiency technical note which is available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/12/41/37/04124137.pdf.

Health Trusts

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans she has to review the market forces factor used in the allocation of funding to health trusts;
	(2)  who the members are of the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation.

Andy Burnham: holding answers 15 May 2006
	The Department has commissioned a review of the market forces factor (MFF) component of the weighted-capitation formula. This review will inform revenue allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs) post 2007-08.
	The review is being overseen by the advisory committee on resource allocation (ACRA). ACRA is an independent body consisting of national health service management, general practitioners and academics.
	The ACRA members are shown in the table.
	
		
			  ACRA membership as of September 2005 
			   Organisation 
			  Chair  
			 Mr. D. Fillingham Chief Executive, Bolton Hospital NHS Trust 
			   
			  Members  
			 Mr. K. Derbyshire Department of Health, Senior Economic Advisor 
			 Professor I. Diamond Chief Executive, Economic and Social Research Council 
			 Mr. F. Dickinson Department of Health, Economic Advisor 
			 Dr. S. Drage General Practitioners Committee, BMA 
			 Dr. M. D'Souza Head of the Unit of General Practice, NH and LI Imperial College, Surrey 
			 Professor H. Glennerster Professor Emeritus of Social Administration and Co-Director of CASE, London School of Economics 
			 Dr. R. Hussey Director of Health Strategy, Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority 
			 Professor Sir B. Jarman Emeritus Professor of the Department of General Practice, Imperial College of Medicine 
			 Mr. P. Lilley Chief Executive, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
			 Ms R. MacDonald Chief Executive, Bath and North Somerset Primary Care Trust 
			 Dr. N. Rice Reader, University of York 
			 Mr. D. Roberts Unit Manager, The Information Centre for health and social care 
			 Dr. I. Trimble General practitioner, Nottingham 
			 Mr. C. Vincent Department of Health, Finance

Healthcare Commission

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many lay associates have been trained by the Healthcare Commission for handling complaints against the NHS; how much it cost the commission to provide the training; and how much has been paid to associates attending mandatory training courses;
	(2)  how many independent panels involving lay associates have been convened by the Healthcare Commission for the investigation of complaints against the NHS.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 16 May 2006
	The chairman of the Healthcare Commission has confirmed that when the commission took on its present role in the independent review of complaints in July 2004, it recruited approximately 250 lay panel members. All those recruited underwent three days training for which they received expenses of 250 a day. In addition, there were costs associated with the room hire and some speakers at the training events. These costs are not reported separately from wider commission expenditure on such items, but the commission estimates that expenditure on venues, speakers and accommodation might have been about 100,000.
	The chairman of the Healthcare Commission has confirmed that lay panels were involved in only four of the 7,400 cases completed in 2005-06 and that it is unlikely that there will be a significant number of panels in the future. The chairman has added that the commission is seeking alternative ways of using the valuable experience of some lay panel members. Approximately 100 lay panellists worked as office- based case managers in 2005-06. The commission is also developing options for using lay panellists as home-based associate case managers.

Independent Care Sector

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with the independent care home sector over the past 12 months on financial measures to reward high-quality care.

Ivan Lewis: Ministers and departmental officials meet regularly with representatives of the care home sector, when issues such as funding are raised and discussed.
	However, responsibility for commissioning social care services rests with local councils. The Department allocates funding to councils for social care services. Councils are responsible for using these resources ina way which best meets the needs of their local populations. Contracting arrangements between councils and independent-sector providers of care are a matter for local decision. The Department does not set or recommend rates at which councils contract with nursing and residential homes, nor does it set quality standards. It is important that councils are able to tailor contracts as necessary to suit specific local circumstances. Many councils do pay financial premiums for high-quality services.
	There have been substantial increases in the level of funding provided for social services. Between 1996-97 and 2002-03, the overall level of funding for social services increased by 20 per cent., an average real-terms annual increase of around 3 per cent. Funding to councils for personal social services has increased by an annual average of 6 per cent. In real terms from 2003-04 to 2005-06; councils can and do use this money to increase the fees they pay to care homes.

Insulin

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2006,  Official Report, column 919W, on insulin, whether data pertaining to accidental insulin overdoses includes the type of insulin being used.

Andy Burnham: The data collected on accidental insulin overdose does not identify the type of insulin used.

Insulin

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many deaths have occurred in the UK where the insulins  (a) Hypurin Porcine isophane,  (b) Human Insulatard and  (c) Lantus were suspected to be a cause or contributory factor since 2002 as show on Yellow Card Adverse Reaction Reports; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will investigate the impact of the insulin analogue Lantus on patient health and well-being since its introduction in 2002; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The human insulin analogue Lantus (insulin glargine) was granted a marketing authorisation valid throughout the European Union by the European Commission in June 2000. Clinical trials submitted at the time of licensing examined the safety and efficacy of insulin glargine in diabetic patients treated for up to 12 months. Generally, the side effects observed with insulin glargine were similar to those seen with other human insulins, with the most commonly observed side effects being hypoglycaemia, visual disturbance and injection site reactions. A European public assessment report, which details the basis for the decision to license insulin glargine and all subsequent changes to the license, is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) at www.emea.eu.int.
	The safety of all insulins in routine clinical practice in the United Kingdom (UK) is closely monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Any possible new safety issue to emerge is evaluated and any new prescribing advice is issued to health professionals and patients, following discussion with other European regulatory agencies and EMEA as appropriate. The patient information leaflet for insulin glargine contains suitable advice on use of the product and warnings about possible adverse effects.
	The MHRA receives reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) via the UK yellow card scheme. A total of 373 reports of suspected ADRs have been received in association with insulin glargine since January 2002 and of these 15 had a fatal outcome. Where cause of death was reported there is no particular pattern. There have been a total of five reports of a suspected adverse reaction with Human Insulatard in this time period, of which one had a fatal outcome. There has been one report of a suspected adverse reaction to Hypurin Porcine Isophane in this time-period; this did not have a fatal outcome. These figures reflect only those reports where the products Human Insulatard or Hypurin Porcine Isophane have been specified by the reporter.
	The reporting of a suspected adverse reaction does not necessarily mean it was caused by the drug. The suspected reaction may relate to other factors such as underlying illness or other medicines taken concurrently. It is not valid to compare the number of reports of suspected adverse reactions between products as a number of different factors affect the level of reporting of adverse reactions including the level of usage of the product, how long the product has been on the market and any publicity surrounding the product.

IT Interoperability

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has commissioned into healthcare information technology programmes in other countries, with particular reference to system interoperability.

Caroline Flint: The national programme for information technology has been designed and developed, and is being implemented, in accordance with international and European Union-wide standards. These standards have also been adopted by the United Kingdom e-Government Interoperability Framework. The Department's NHS Connecting for Health agency, which is responsible for delivering the programme, works closely with the World Health Organisation and with European and international standards bodies to ensure interoperability subject to adherence to standards and strict security and confidentiality safeguards. The interoperability standards are regularly updated and are made readily available to suppliers of information technology systems. Departmental officials have regular contact and dialogue with healthcare organisations across the world. The national health service is taking a leadership role in the promotion of SNOMED CT, a terminology system that has now been adopted by several other jurisdictions.

LIFT Schemes

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 28 March 2006,  Official Report, column 926W, on local improvement finance trust (LIFT) schemes, what progress she has made towards the targets set for LIFT.

Andy Burnham: The national health service local improvement finance trust, along with other existing primary care procurement routes, is a mechanism to support the delivery of the following targets set out in the NHS Plan:
	Up to 1 billion investment in primary care facilities;
	Up to 3,000 family doctors' premises substantially refurbished or replaced by 2004; and
	500 one stop primary centres delivered by 2004, which has been extended by delivering
	the NHS Plan to 750 by 2008.
	Progress against these targets has been made as follows:
	Over 1 billion additional investment is supporting the development of primary care facilities;
	2,848 family doctors' premises were substantially refurbished or replaced by the end of 2004; and
	510 one stop primary care centres were delivered by the end of 2004, with the latest figure being 566 centres delivered by December 2005.

Maternity Care

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the efficacy of whole-scale 12-week scans during pregnancy; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) produced guidelines Antenatal Care: Routine Care for the Healthy Pregnant Woman which recommend an early ultrasound scan between 10 to 13 weeks for gestational age assessment.
	The benefits of the whole-scale 12-week scans are well documented. Early detection and appropriate care management is important for women with multiple pregnancies and will produce a healthier outcome for both the mother and baby. The benefits of early screening also extend to screening for other conditions such as sickle cell anaemia and Thalassaemia, so that screening and the follow on diagnosis can take place at the correct time.
	The early scan will also detect some serious abnormalities such as neural tube defects. In relation to national screening programmes, an early dating scan is a set standard agreed by an expert working group who recommend that all women prior to Down's syndrome screening must have a dating scan to ensure the quality of the screening test. Guidance for health professionals on more accurate tests for Down's syndrome screening was published by the Department in November 2003. This guidance, based on advice from the national screening committee, which advises Ministers on all aspects of screening, complements and supports national health service implementation of the NICE guideline.

Mental Health

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her latest estimate is of the extent of perinatal mental health provision in  (a) England and  (b) Northamptonshire.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has not made a direct assessment of perinatal mental health provision in Northamptonshire or England. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has been commissioned to produce guidelines on routine postnatal care, which is due for publication in June 2006, and antenatal and postnatal mental health, which is due in February 2007.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many prescriptions for anti-depressants have been given to children in the last 12 months; and if she will list the drugs prescribed;
	(2)  what percentage of children being treated for depression were prescribed drugs by  (a) GPs and  (b) consultants in the last period for which figures are available.

Ivan Lewis: Information on the number of prescriptions of anti-depressants issued for children in 2005 is shown in the following table:
	We do not collect information on the number of children in respect of which these prescriptions were issued, nor whether the prescriber was a general practitioner or consultant. Not all the prescriptions will have been treating depression as these drugs are also used to treat disorders such as nocturnal enuresis, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders and phobic states.
	
		
			  Total number of anti-depressant items (000's) dispensed to children in the community in England for 2005. Source PCA. 
			  Number of items  Drug name  2005 
			 Amitriptyline Hydrochloride Amitriptyline HCI_Liq Spec 10mg/5ml * 
			  Amitriptyline HCI_Oral Soln 10mg/5ml S/F * 
			  Amitriptyline HCI_Oral Soln 25mg/5ml S/F 2 
			  Amitriptyline HCI_Oral Soln 50mg/5ml S/F * 
			  Amitriptyline HCI_Tab 10mg 20 
			  Amitriptyline HCI_Tab 25mg 11 
			  Amitriptyline HCI_Tab 50mg 4 
			  Triptafen_Tab * 
			  Triptafen-M_Tab * 
			 Citalopram Hydrobromide Cipramil_Oral Dps 40mg/ml S/F * 
			  Cipramil_Tab 10mg * 
			  Cipramil_Tab 20mg * 
			  Cipramil_Tab 40mg * 
			  Citalopram Hydrob_Tab 10mg 9 
			  Citalopram Hydrob_Tab 20mg 16 
			  Citalopram Hydrob_Tab 40mg 2 
			 Clomipramine Hydrochloride Anafranil Sr_Tab 75mg * 
			  Anafranil_Cap 10mg * 
			  Anafranil_Cap 25mg * 
			  Anafranil_Cap 50mg * 
			  Clomipramine HCI_Cap 10mg * 
			  Clomipramine HCI_Cap 25mg * 
			  Clomipramine HCI_Cap 50mg * 
			 Dosulepin Hydrochloride Dosulepin HCI_Cap 25mg 5 
			  Dosulepin HCI_Liq Spec 25mg/5ml * 
			  Dosulepin HCI_Tab 75mg 4 
			  Dothapax 75_Tab 75mg * 
			  Prothiaden_Cap 25mg * 
			  Prothiaden_Tab 75mg * 
			 Doxepin Sinequan_Cap 10mg * 
			  Sinequan_Cap 25mg * 
			  Sinequan_Cap 50mg * 
			 Duloxetine Hydrochloride Cymbalta_Cap G/R 30mg * 
			  Cymbalta_Cap G/R 60mg * 
			 Escitalopram Cipralex_Tab 10mg 7 
			  Cipralex_Tab 20mg 2 
			  Cipralex_Tab 5mg 2 
			 Fluoxetine Hydrochloride Fluoxetine HCI_Cap 20mg 53 
			  Fluoxetine HCI_Cap 60mg * 
			  Fluoxetine HCl_Oral Soln 20mg/5ml 9 
			  Oxactin_Cap 20mg * 
			  Prozac_Cap 20mg * 
			  Prozac_Liq 20mg/5ml * 
			  Prozit_Oral Soln 20mg/5ml * 
			  Ranflutin_Cap 20mg * 
			 Flupentixol Hydrochloride Fluanxol_Tab 1mg * 
			  Fluanxol_Tab 500mcg * 
			 Fluvoxamine Maleate Faverin 50_Tab 50mg * 
			  Fluvoxamine Mal_Tab 100mg * 
			  Fluvoxamine Mal_Tab 50mg * 
			 Imipramine Hydrochloride Imipramine HCI_Liq Spec 25mg/5ml * 
			  Imipramine HCI_Tab 10mg 3 
			  Imipramine HCI_Tab 25mg 7 
			  Tofranil_Syr 25mg/5ml * 
			  Tofranil_Tab 25mg * 
			 Lofepramine Hydrochloride Gamani_Tab 70mg * 
			  Lofepramine HCI_Tab 70mg 3 
			  Lomont_Oral Susp 70mg/5ml S/F * 
			 Maprotiline Hydrochloride Ludiomil_Tab 25mg * 
			  Ludiomil_Tab 75mg * 
			 Mianserin Hydrochloride Mianserin HCI_Tab 10mg * 
			  Mianserin HCI_Tab 30mg * 
			 Mirtazapine Mirtazapine_Tab 15mg * 
			  Mirtazapine_Tab 30mg 2 
			  Mirtazapine_Tab 45mg * 
			  Zispin_SolTab 15mg 2 
			  Zispin_SolTab 30mg 2 
			  Zispin_SolTab 45mg * 
			 Moclobemide Moclobemide_Tab 150mg * 
			  Moclobemide_Tab 300mg * 
			 Nortriptyline Allegron_Tab 10mg * 
			  Allegron_Tab 25mg * 
			  Motival_Tab * 
			 Oxitriptan Tript-OH_Cap 50mg * 
			 Paroxetine Hydrochloride Paroxetine HCI_Tab 20mg 5 
			  Paroxetine HCI_Tab 30mg 1 
			  Seroxat_Liq 20mg/10ml S/F 1 
			  Seroxat_Tab 20mg * 
			  Seroxat_Tab 30mg * 
			 Phenelzine Sulphate Nardil_Tab 15mg * 
			 Reboxetine Edronax_Tab 4mg * 
			 Sertraline Hydrochloride Aremis_Tab 100mg * 
			  Aremis_Tab 50mg 1 
			  Besitron_Tab 100mg * 
			  Besitron_Tab 50mg 1 
			  Lustral_Tab 100mg 2 
			  Lustral_Tab 50mg 8 
			  Sertraline HCI_Tab 100mg * 
			  Setraline HCI_Tab 50mg 2 
			 Tranylcypromine Sulphate Tranylcypromine Sulph_Tab 10mg * 
			 Trazodone Hydrochloride Molipaxin_Cap l00mg * 
			  Molipaxin_Cap 50mg * 
			  Molipaxin_Liq 50mg/5ml S/F * 
			  Molipaxin_Tab 150mg * 
			  Trazodone HCI_Cap 100mg * 
			  Trazodone HCI_Cap 50mg 1 
			  Trazodone HCI_Cap 150mg * 
			 Trimipramine Maleate Surmontil_Cap 50mg * 
			  Surmontil_Tab 10mg * 
			  Surmontil_Tab 25mg * 
			  Trimipramine Mal_Cap 50mg * 
			  Trimipramine Mal_Tab 10mg * 
			  Trimipramine Mal_Tab 25mg * 
			 Tryptophan Optimax Wv_Tab (Wt) Vit * 
			 Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Efexor XL_Cap 150mg 3 
			  Efexor XL_Cap 75mg 4 
			  Efexor_Tab 37.5mg 1 
			  Efexor_Tab 75mg * 
			  Notes:   PCA Data Prescription information are taken from the Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system, supplied by the Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA), and is based on a full analysis of all prescriptions dispensed in the community i.e. by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England. Also included are prescriptions written in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man but dispensed in England. The data do not cover drugs dispensed in hospitals, including mental health trusts, or private prescriptions.   Prescription Items Prescriptions are written on a prescription form. Each single item written on the form is counted as a prescription item.  Exemption Category Estimates  The exemption data is identified from the box ticked on the back of the prescription form and relies on the form being completed correctly which may not always be the case. Information for categories that are not required to pay a charge (e.g. children) is based on a 1 in 20 sample of all exempt prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors and dispensing doctors. The information we have is therefore an estimate and subject to sampling errors. To reflect this we have rounded the exemption figures appropriately-figures less than 1,000 are shown as *; figures between 1,000 and 100,000 have been rounded to the nearest 1,000 and figures between 100,000 and 1 million have been rounded to the nearest 10,000. Data for total of all ages has not been rounded since it is not exemption data. Due to rounding, the sum of the components may not equal the totals.  Children are defined as 0-15 year olds, and as 16-18 year olds in full time education.  Dispensing Doctors Data up to 2000 are not strictly comparable with data from later years. Up until September 2000 only patients having their prescriptions dispensed by the community pharmacists and appliance contractors were required to complete the back of the prescription form, but from October 2000 this requirement was extended to patients of dispensing doctors. Therefore data prior to October 2000 do not include prescriptions dispensed by dispensing doctors.

Multiple Sclerosis

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions she has had with her counterparts in other EU member states on the efficacy, cost and availability of treatments for multiple sclerosis; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: We have had no recent discussions with my counterparts in other European Union member states on the efficacy, cost and availability of treatments for multiple sclerosis.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure the allocation of ring-fenced funds for specialist services for myalgic (a) encephalomyelitis and  (b) encephalopathy should primary care trusts seek to reduce provision.

Ivan Lewis: In January 2004 funding of8.5 million was announced for specialist services for those living with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). This funding, 2.5 million for 2004-05, and 6 million for 2005-06, was specifically intended to cover the costs of setting-up services where none already existed. At the end of this period funding for these centres will be from primary care trust general allocations. It is the responsibility of local health bodies to meet the health and social care needs of their local population.
	The national service framework for long-term conditions (NSF) sets out a clear vision of how health and social care organisations can improve the quality, consistency and responsiveness of their services and help improve the lives of people with neurological conditions, including CFS/ME. National health service organisations are expected to demonstrate that they are making progress towards achieving the level of service quality described in the NSF.
	The Healthcare Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspection may undertake performance reviews to assess progress on local implementation of the NSF.

NHS Deficits

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the year-end gross NHS deficit for 2005-06.

Andy Burnham: For 2005-06 month six, the national health service as a whole is forecasting a gross deficit of around 948 million. Some NHS organisations have generated surpluses of around 325 million. Therefore, the NHS at 2005-06 month six is forecasting a net deficit of around 620 million.

NHS Finance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the International Monetary Fund's warning of a 50 billion gap in NHS finances; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of healthcare spending between 2007 and 2050; what assessment she has made of the International Monetary Fund's estimate that healthcare spending could rise by up to six percentage points of gross domestic product over this period; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Government's latest long-term fiscal projections are contained in the 2005 long-term public finance report, published alongside the pre-Budget report in December 2005. On the basis of the projections presented in the report, healthcare spending is projected to increase from around 8.2 per cent. of gross domestic product in 2007 to around 9.7 per cent. in 2050. The actual level of public long-term health spending is however a matter for future budgets and spending reviews.

NHS Finance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budgets are for each  (a) primary care trust,  (b) NHS trust and  (c) other NHS organisation in 2006-07.

Andy Burnham: Primary care trusts (PCTs) receive most of their budget through revenue allocations. PCTs also receive operational capital funding.
	Revenue budgets for national health service trusts are agreed locally with PCTs. NHS trusts and care trusts also receive operational capital funding for building and equipment purchases.
	Strategic health authorities (SHAs) receive strategic capital allocations for major capital developments, and capital will be allocated to PCTs and NHS trusts at the discretion of the SHA. Allocations for 2006-07 have been placed in the Library.
	Central budgets for 2006-07, including SHA running costs budgets, have been agreed at board level within the Department. The detail of individual budgets will be confirmed shortly.

NHS Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which strategic health authorities have authorised the top-slicing of primary care trust allocations in the  (a) 2006-07 and  (b) 2007-08 financial years; what proportion of primary care trust allocations are being withheld in each case; and under what legislation strategic health authorities have the authority to top-slice primary care trust allocations.

Andy Burnham: The plans for the creation of local reserves at strategic health authority level was set out in The NHS in England: The operating framework for 2006-07 published by the Department on 26 January 2006 which is available in the Library and on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/12/73/15/04127315.pdf
	The level of reserve transferred from primary care trusts to be held at strategic health authorities will be agreed by the Department as part of the national health service financial planning process for 2006-07.
	Transfers of funding will be made by the Department on the basis of these agreed plans under section 97 of the NHS Act 1977 as amended.

NHS Finance

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the total public expenditure per head of population on the  (a) capital and  (b) running costs of the national health service was in (i) London and (ii) each of the English regions in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  what the total public expenditure per head of population on the  (a) capital and  (b) running costs of the national health service was in the metropolitan areas of (i) Greater Manchester, (ii) West Yorkshire, (iii) South Yorkshire, (iv) West Midlands, (v) Merseyside and (vi) Tyne and Wear in each of the last 10 years.

Andy Burnham: Expenditure per head of population from 1997-98 to 2004-05 by strategic health authority (SHA) area and for England is shown in the tables. Capital expenditure is taken as the total expenditure on purchased additions of fixed assets in each year by national health service bodies. Running costs are the total expenditure by health authorities, SHAs and primary care trusts.
	
		
			  Table 1. Expenditure per head by unweighted population on the purchased additions of fixed assets () 
			  SHA name  1997-98  1998-99  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 19.42 32.77 65.96 31.97 54.42 50.76 43.49 33.93 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 20.29 23.12 14.97 25.99 42.62 20.96 44.43 26.51 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country 34.67 25.67 28.58 33.79 40.34 70.85 77.12 64.38 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 27.42 24.72 19.28 29.37 51.97 82.59 58.91 67.98 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 9.62 11.86 19.71 56.71 52.29 59.00 39.01 41.15 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 22.98 21.61 22.39 30.19 37.90 53.19 47.41 48.26 
			 Dorset and Somerset 18.99 12.79 19.17 21.08 50.10 36.99 37.74 46.27 
			 Essex 17.62 14.81 28.44 37.82 50.83 43.22 55.57 48.42 
			 Greater Manchester 20.93 46.47 26.75 47.27 58.05 48.99 53.84 37.95 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 12.23 15.08 25.51 32.73 87.84 45.04 55.83 67.45 
			 Kent and Medway 38.46 21.37 15.28 25.40 32.89 65.46 44.56 44.29 
			 Leics, Northants and Rutland 18.44 14.85 18.62 24.08 48.77 62.82 48.98 48.23 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 24.68 14.40 16.49 31.06 30.40 82.43 52.51 33.88 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 17.14 19.41 111.72 31.09 35.69 50.72 41.93 41.77 
			 North Central London 26.92 50.46 108.67 89.65 126.54 77.39 68.38 65.40 
			 North East London 14.92 28.11 27.68 32.30 30.38 55.42 89.05 80.54 
			 North West London 34.59 32.84 63.79 44.33 74.61 67.89 81.95 88.68 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 22.89 23.13 34.72 76.04 51.46 72.79 66.48 52.62 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 15.46 15.02 19.54 28.30 35.55 68.54 59.14 43.28 
			 South East London 36.90 22.90 53.79 48.53 54.68 131.22 64.71 62.76 
			 South West London 21.47 23.02 43.20 87.53 54.35 49.64 62.70 41.76 
			 South West Peninsula 26.72 15.56 18.90 28.11 60.40 51.24 60.92 42.34 
			 South Yorkshire 30.98 29.40 34.61 41.67 43.01 56,60 54.19 26.99 
			 Surrey and Sussex 27.09 20.59 28.30 24.14 27.00 77.52 53.75 52.68 
			 Thames Valley 17.92 19.11 43.83 44.38 42.61 49.24 56.17 50.60 
			 Trent 14.30 19.69 19.02 27.39 71.08 51.17 49.12 40.23 
			 West Midlands South 35.83 22.13 16.93 19.17 23.71 52.54 42.57 38.97 
			 West Yorkshire 24.64 13.28 21.41 30.15 26.63 51.10 47.40 38.58 
			 England 23.40 22.89 33.44 36.98 49.10 60.39 55.62 49.18 
			  Sources: Audited annual accounts of the health authorities 1997-98 to 1998-99 Audited health authority summarisation forms 1999-2000 to 2001-02 Audited SHA summarisation forms 2002-03 to 2004-05 Audited primary care trust summarisation schedules 2000-01 to 2004-05 Audited NHS trust summarisation schedules 1997-98 to 2004-05 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2. Total expenditure per head by unweighted population for strategic health authority areas () 
			   1997-98  1998-99  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 569.38 603.47 696.27 764.69 837.62 913.62 1,058.43 1,149.54 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 564.37 597.93 677.38 729.06 957.73 855.15 951.46 1,089.15 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country 627.55 699.02 777.51 826.01 1,015.54 965.01 1,169.31 1,278.32 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 620.81 686.47 791.42 885.33 964.69 1,152.74 1,180.44 1,354.97 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 596.10 664.12 792.22 850.91 932.33 1,084.31 1,192.95 1,337.34 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 614.10 679.92 819.63 894.22 1,021.73 1,215.84 1,277.22 1,260.32 
			 Dorset and Somerset 579.03 618.90 715.61 915.78 1,123.84 797.80 1,012.24 1,146.10 
			 Essex 554.80 605.51 706.34 772.78 788.10 803.07 973.72 1,115.64 
			 Greater Manchester 616.28 675.64 786.41 850.27 939.33 1,070.68 1,220.29 1,326.87 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 553.64 594.08 667.29 729.88 885.43 865.41 1,021.94 1,146.79 
			 Kent and Medway 576.63 609.94 735.76 758.42 810.67 867.94 976.86 1,123.55 
			 Leics, Northants and Rutland 541.85 590.17 696.68 728.53 783.79 870.92 981.90 1,093.20 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 548.45 596.71 687.07 727.78 817.70 997.51 1,054.67 1,150.02 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 588.29 640.25 726.01 771.23 837.92 906.27 1,001.51 1,142.03 
			 North Central London 730.48 815.11 914.53 1,078.17 1,105.05 1,394.68 1,415.81 1,550.81 
			 North East London 703.32 786.51 912.88 981.73 1,060.50 1,111.02 1,303.88 1,428.90 
			 North West London 735.84 799.16 895.91 962.95 1,044.04 1,198.62 1,335.59 1,440.70 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 649.89 719.64 842.77 890.61 993.26 1,094.71 1,202.15 1,351.37 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 558.27 598.72 694.25 740.03 923.09 870.69 975.36 1,132.57 
			 South East London 705.15 788.22 940.51 1,009.23 1,092.94 1,207.78 1,348.69 1,503.33 
			 South West London 660.35 709.31 826.66 884.90 948.29 1,039.46 1,172.11 1,283.18 
			 South West Peninsula 598.79 635.87 745.47 796.01 851.11 985.33 1,060.87 1,204.71 
			 South Yorkshire 676.41 738.73 878.70 926.77 1,018.92 1,143.82 1,256.73 1,412.39 
			 Surrey and Sussex 618.46 656.23 780.66 815.77 903.64 960.55 1,097.02 1,181.31 
			 Thames Valley 519.76 544.01 626.46 685.84 772.39 786.00 959.52 1,066.88 
			 Trent 585.51 636.93 720.04 775.60 936.51 842.41 1,044.16 1,157.56 
			 West Midlands South 594.38 623.80 714.92 753.76 840.65 880.32 975.04 1,109.93 
			 West Yorkshire 627.04 677.70 773.71 831.40 899.83 1,025.71 1,151.63 1,269.29 
			  607.85 659.76 763.79 825.38 926.129 991.07 1,116.32 1,236.10 
			  Notes to Table 2: Total expenditure is the expenditure by health authorities, strategic health authorities and primary care trusts in England, shown by current strategic health authority area. Expenditure on general dental services and pharmaceutical services accounted for by the Dental Practice Board and Prescription Pricing Authority, respectively, are excluded. This expenditure cannot be included within figures for individual health bodies as they are not included in commissioner accounts.  Sources: Audited annual accounts of the health authorities 1997-98 to 1998-99 Audited health authority summarisation forms 1999-2000 to 2001-02 Audited SHA summarisation forms 2002-03 to 2004-05 Audited primary care trust summarisation schedules 2000-01 to 2004-05

NHS Finance

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her comments in  The Guardian of 11 May 2006 on support for overspending trusts, if she will agree to write off the 11.27 million deficit of the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust.

Andy Burnham: National health service bodies must live within their means, and we will not be writing off debt when a particular trust has failed to operate within its budget.
	It is the responsibility of strategic health authorities (SHAs) both to deliver overall financial balance for their local health communities and to ensure each and every body achieves financial balance. However, there is a degree of flexibility in how this is managed at a local level. SHAs can agree a recovery plan which phases the recovery of deficits over a number of years. This would require other NHS organisations within the health economy to under spend over the same period. Any such arrangements would have to be subject to the agreement of local providers, commissioners and the managing SHA.

NHS IT Programme

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the effect that system interoperability would have on the costs of the NHS information technology programme;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the ability of the single-system approach used by the NHS IT programme to respond to user demands and changing requirements.

Caroline Flint: The strategy for the national programme for information technology requires a consistent information architecture that can make patient treatment information available when and where it is needed. This does not rely on a single information system but involves the integration of multiple systems and applications operating together within that architecture to functional and technical interoperability standards.
	Contracts with local service providers require them to ensure their systems and services meet these standards. This requirement covers interoperability both between systems and between localities, with the aim of supporting clinical networks and patient flows across communities, as well as providing the flexibility to meet emerging models of care that provide plurality of supply, choice and convenience for patients. Interoperability standards are shared with existing suppliers who are able to demonstrate compliance.
	The commercial and organisational models chosen for delivering the national programme have produced exceptional value for the taxpayer by avoiding multiple procurements and significantly reducing unit costs for applications and systems.

NHS IT Programme

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the merits of using service-oriented architecture in the NHS information technology programme;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the potential impact of service-oriented architecture on competition for provision of services in the NHS information technology programme.

Caroline Flint: Service-oriented architecture has been in use for well over a decade in large enterprises, and encouragement has been given to the use of its design principles in connection with the development of national programme for information technology systems and services wherever doing so would improve the quality of the product. There have been no material changes in service-oriented architecture since the procurement phase of the national programme, and there is therefore no obvious scope for its impacting on competition for the provision of services at this stage.

NHS IT Programme

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the annual cost of the NHS information technology programme is to  (a) primary care trusts,  (b) NHS trusts and  (c) other NHS organisations;
	(2)  what percentage of the budget of  (a) primary care trusts,  (b) NHS trusts and  (c) other NHS organisations she expects to be spent on the NHS IT programme in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) in the next five years.

Caroline Flint: Information about local national health service spending by primary care trusts, NHS trusts and other NHS organisations on the national programme for information technology to complement the investment from central funding is not collected centrally. A survey of total NHS information technology (IT) expenditure is conducted annually and the results are published on the NHS Connecting for Health's website at
	www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/publications/funding.
	There is no specific numerical target for year-on-year spending by NHS organisations on the programme. However, we have always made it clear that we anticipate the NHS as a whole increasing its overall spending on IT broadly in line with the recommendations in the 2002 Wanless report.

NHS Reconfiguration

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 9 January 2006,  Official Report, column 146W, on NHS Reconfiguration, what estimate she has made of the total cost involved in the structural reorganisation of strategic health authorities.

Andy Burnham: Total costs of change are dependent on a number of factors, including the number of new organisations, number of people in the new organisations and their pay as well as changes in estate costs following reconfiguration. When complete the reconfiguration of strategic health authorities will cost less to run than the previous arrangements and free resources for frontline services.

Nuffield Speech and Language Unit

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if a Minister in her Department will meet a delegation of hon. Members, speech and language therapists and parents to discuss the future of the Nuffield speech and language unit.

Ivan Lewis: I would be happy to meet the delegation to hear their concerns regarding the future of the Nuffield speech and language unit.

Nuffield Speech and Language Unit

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the arrangements to publicise the public consultation on the future of the Nuffield speech and language unit; and what discussions she has had since 25 April 2006 with the Royal Free hospital on its conduct of that consultation.

Ivan Lewis: No discussions have been held since 25 April 2006 with the Royal Free hospital on its conduct on the public consultation on the future of the Nuffield speech and language unit and no assessments have been made of the trust's arrangements to publicise the consultation.
	It is the duty of the local national health service to involve and consult patients, the public and their representatives in the planning of services, the development of proposals to change services and in decisions affecting the operation of services.

Nurses/Doctors

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to allow nurses to prescribe medicines to patients without the consent of a doctor; if she will list the medicines nurses will be allowed to prescribe; what consultation she has undertaken; what representations she has received; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: Over 29,000 community practitioner nurse prescribers are able to prescribe from a list of dressings, appliances and some medicines for patients in the community. These are listed in Part XVIIB(i) of the Drug Tariff.
	Nearly 7,000 qualified nurse independent prescribers are able to prescribe any licensed medicine independently for any medical condition within their competence, including some controlled drugs that are listed in the Drug Tariff in Part XVIIB(ii).
	Regulations to enable this came into effect on 1 May 2006, following public consultation beginning on 28 February 2005, which examined options for the future of nurse prescribing. A summary of responses to this consultation is publicly available on the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's website at www.mhra.gov.uk, a copy of which will be placed in the Library.

Nurses/Doctors

Ann Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) nurses and  (b) doctors there were in Brentford and Isleworth constituency in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2006.

Ivan Lewis: The following table shows the number of nurses and doctors there were in the North West London area in 1997 and 2004. Information on the number of doctors and nurses in 2005 was available on 24 April 2006. The 2006 work force census will be conducted in September 2006.
	
		
			  England 
			  numbers headcount 
			   1997  2004 
			  North West London   
			 All doctors 4,422 5,494 
			  of which:   
			 Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) doctors 3,213 4,262 
			 General medical practitioners (excluding retainers) 1,209 1,232 
			
			 Nurses 12,602 16,509 
			  of which:   
			 HCHS nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 11,909 15,774 
			 General practitioner (GP) practice nurses 693 735 
			
			  Central and North West London Mental Health National Health Service Trust   
			 All doctors n/a 228 
			  of which:   
			 HCHS doctors n/a 228 
			 General medical practitioners (excluding retainers) n/a n/a 
			
			 Nurses n/a 1,148 
			  of which:   
			 HCHS nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff n/a 1,148 
			 GP practice nurses n/a n/a 
			
			  Hounslow primary care trust   
			 All doctors n/a 141 
			  of which:   
			 HCHS doctors n/a 3 
			 General medical practitioners (excluding retainers) n/a 138 
			
			 Nurses n/a 300 
			  of which:   
			 HCHS nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff n/a 221 
			 GP practice nurses n/a 79 
			
			  West Middlesex University NHS Trust   
			 All doctors 166 248 
			  of which:   
			 HCHS doctors 166 248 
			 General medical practitioners (excluding retainers) n/a n/a 
			
			 Nurses 604 857 
			  of which:   
			 HCHS nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 604 857 
			 GP practice nurses n/a n/a 
			 n/a = not available.

Operations

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) in-patient and  (b) day case operations were carried out in each year since 1997 (i) in England and (ii) in each NHS trust.

Andy Burnham: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Patient/Public Involvement

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been allocated to the Patient and Public Involvement Resource Centre; when she expects the Resource Centre to begin its work; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Department is looking for a supplier to design, develop and have operational responsibility for a new centre to support the delivery of patient and public involvement in the healthcare delivery system. The procurement process is ongoing and until it is complete, we are unable to provide further details as they are commercially sensitive.

Patient/Public Involvement

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget is for the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health in 2006-07; and what she estimates the cost of abolishing the commission by the summer of 2007 to be.

Rosie Winterton: The budget for the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH) for the financial year 2006-07 has recently been agreed at 28 million. The budget for 2007-08 will not be set until later in the current financial year.
	The cost of abolishing the CPPIH, including staff redundancy costs, will be contained within the overall budgets for 2006-07 and 2007-08 with final costs being assessed later in the year when the full implications for the CPPIH of the recent review of patient and public involvement have been assessed.

Population Statistics

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account primary care trusts funding formulae take of the proportion of over 25-year olds in a local population.

Andy Burnham: The weighted capitation formula, which informs revenue allocations to primary care trusts, includes adjustments for age related need to reflect that demand for healthcare varies according to the age structure of the local population.
	Each component of the formula has its own age weights which are shown in the tables.
	
		
			  Table 1: Hospital and community health service age weights 
			  Age band  Weighting () 
			 0-4 542 
			 5-14 269 
			 15-44 526 
			 45-64 655 
			 65-74 1,245 
			 75-84 1,976 
			 85+ 2,799 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Prescribing age-sex weights 
			  Age band  Male  Female 
			 0-4 1 0.8 
			 5-14 1.4 1.2 
			 15-24 1.7 2.1 
			 25-34 2 2.4 
			 35-44 2.8 3.2 
			 45-54 4.4 5.4 
			 55-64 7.6 7.2 
			 65-74 10.1 9.6 
			 75+ 11.8 10.6 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Primary medical services age-sex weights (expressed as the ratio to males aged five to 14) 
			  Age band  Male  Female 
			 0-4 3.97 3.64 
			 5-14 1.00 1.04 
			 15-44 1.02 2.20 
			 45-64 2.16 3.37 
			 65-74 4.23 4.95 
			 75-84 6.01 6.95 
			 85+ 7.22 8.85

Premature Babies

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies have been born prematurely in each of the last five years; and what research her Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated into links between premature birth and (i) areas of deprivation and (ii) environment.

Ivan Lewis: The available information about length of gestation at delivery is published annually in table 21 of the statistical bulletin NHS Maternity Statistics: England. Copies of the bulletins, the latest of which relates to 2003-04, are available in the Library and also on the Department's website at
	www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/1070/61/04107061.pdf.
	The main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Innovation. The MRC supports a large portfolio of reproductive tract research and underpinning reproductive medicine and paediatric research.
	The Department funds research to support policy and to provide the evidence needed to underpin quality improvement and service development in the national health service. The policy research programme in particular supports the national perinatal epidemiology unit. Much of the unit's work on the compromised foetus and baby focuses on or is linked to preterm birth.
	Over 75 per cent. of the Department's total expenditure on health research is currently devolved to and managed by NHS organisations. Details of individual projects including a number concerned with premature birth are available on the national research register at
	www.dh.gov.uk/research.

Self-harm

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many children have been treated in hospital for self-harm in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many children self-harmed in each of the last five years;
	(3)  how many children were admitted to hospital following incidents of self-harm in each of the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: In 2002, a survey by the Office for National Statistics of 12,000 five to 15-year-olds has found that 1.3 per cent. had tried to harm themselves. The available information on children admitted and treated in hospital is shown in the table.
	Total finished admission episodes and total patients for under-18s admitted to hospital due to deliberate self-harm in the past five years in NHS hospitals England, financial years 2000-01 to 2004-05:
	
		
			  Children admitted by data year 
			  Data year  Total episodes  Total patients 
			 2004-05 11,237 9,804 
			 2003-04 11,189 9,834 
			 2002-03 10,189 8,762 
			 2001-02 10,005 8,678 
			 2000-01 9,469 8,188

Specialised Commissioning

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education and Skills about the review of specialised commissioning.

Andy Burnham: The review of commissioning arrangements for specialised services is an independent review commissioned by Health Ministers and will be considered appropriately when the report is received.

Specialised Commissioning

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which interested parties will be consulted as part of her Department's review of specialised commissioning; and over what time period the review will take place.

Ivan Lewis: The review of commissioning arrangements for specialised services received 144 written submissions. A list of the written submissions has been placed in the Library. Additionally, the review ran an accelerated policy-making day with over 80 attendees and attended workshops with groups such as the NHS Confederation, the National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group and the Specialised Healthcare Alliance. Meetings were also held with officials from various bodies, for example specialised commissioning groups, Monitor (the independent regulator of NHS foundation trusts), the Audit Commission and the Healthcare Commission. The review report will be submitted to Ministers shortly.

Strategic Health Authorities

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff are employed by each strategic health authority; and at what cost in 2005-06.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is shown in table one. This relates to the current 28 strategic health authorities (SHAs) that from 1 July 2006 will be reduced to 10 (as set out in written ministerial statement on 16 May 2006).
	
		
			  Table 1: National health service hospital and community health services: NHS staff by SHA and by main staff groups in England as at 30 September 2005 
			   Headcount 
			   All NHS staff 
			 England 4,438 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SHA 133 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SHA 85 
			 Essex SHA 116 
			 North West London SHA 149 
			 North Central London SHA 171 
			 North East London SHA 155 
			 South East London SHA 174 
			 South West London SHA 105 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear SHA 140 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley SHA 103 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire SHA 133 
			 West Yorkshire SHA 101 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire SHA 156 
			 Greater Manchester SHA 295 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside SHA 239 
			 Thames Valley SHA 156 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight SHA 222 
			 Kent and Medway SHA 102 
			 Surrey and Sussex SHA 141 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA 164 
			 South West Peninsula SHA 166 
			 Dorset and Somerset SHA 84 
			 South Yorkshire SHA 293 
			 Trent SHA 139 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland SHA 214 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire SHA 110 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country SHA 244 
			 West Midlands South SHA 148 
			  Source: The Information Centre for health and social care, medical and dental workforce census The Information Centre for health and social care, non-medical workforce census 
		
	
	The total staff costs for permanent staff at the SHAs for 2004-05 are shown in table two. Source for the data is the 2004-05 audited summarisation forms for the SHAs. 2005-06 data will be available in the autumn.
	
		
			  Table 2 
			  SHA name  Staff costs (000) 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SHA 5,665 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SHA 4,709 
			 Essex Strategic HA 5,455 
			 North West London Strategic HA 6,542 
			 North Central London Strategic HA 6,580 
			 North East London Strategic HA 7,695 
			 South East London Strategic HA 7,555 
			 South West London Strategic HA 6,020 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic HA 4,827 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley SHA 2,938 
			 North and East Yorkshire and N Lines SHA 3,687 
			 West Yorkshire Strategic HA 6,286 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA 4,982 
			 Greater Manchester Strategic HA 12,423 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA 6,646 
			 Thames Valley Strategic HA 8,719 
			 Hampshire and Isle Of Wight Strategic HA 7,548 
			 Kent and Medway Strategic HA 4,456 
			 Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA 5,899 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA 6,477 
			 South West Peninsula Strategic HA 4,940 
			 Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA 3,642 
			 South Yorkshire Strategic HA 15,580 
			 Trent Strategic HA 3,592 
			 Leics, Northants and Rutland SHA 2,909 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire SHA 4,742 
			 Birmingham and The Black Country SHA 12,983 
			 West Midlands South Strategic HA 4,788 
			 England total 178,285

Waiting Lists/Times

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the oral answer from the then Under-Secretary of State of 25 April 2006,  Official Report, column 549, from what sources the figures for waiting times for in-patient treatment were taken.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 15 May 2006
	The figures quoted for waiting times for in-patient treatment in the North Central London Strategic Health Authority area during the Adjournment debate held on 25 April on the future of the Nuffield speech and language unit were obtained from the monthly monitoring return submitted to the Department by the local national health service. I have written to the hon. Member on this subject.

Waiting Lists/Times

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting list time in  (a) the Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust and  (b) England was in each year since 2003.

Andy Burnham: The median waiting times in Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust and England are shown in the tables:
	
		
			  Estimated average waiting times, all specialties, 2003 to 2006Sutton and Merton Primary Care TrustCommissioner based 
			  In-patients  Average waiting time for elective admission 
			  Quarter ended March:  Median wait (weeks) 
			 2003 11.5 
			 2004 10.3 
			 2005 8.9 
			 2006 7.1 
		
	
	
		
			  Estimated average waiting times, all specialties, 2003 to 2006, EnglandCommissioner based 
			  In-patients  Average waiting time for elective admission 
			  Quarter ended March:  Median wait(weeks) 
			 2003 11.9 
			 2004 10.2 
			 2005 8.5 
			 2006 7.3 
			  Source:  Department of Health forms QF01

Working with Children

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria she uses when deciding who should be placed on her Department's list of individuals who are considered unsuitable to work with children.

Parmjit Dhanda: I have been asked to reply.
	The Secretary of State for Education and Skills has the power under section 142 of the Education Act 2002 to bar an individual from working with children in schools, further education colleges and local authority education services. Education organisations are under an obligation not to allow an individual to work in contravention of the bar. Thelist of those individuals subject to a bar is known as List 99.
	There are three circumstances in which the Secretary of State must issue a direction barring someone automatically:
	(i) Firstly, if on or after 1 November 1995, a person
	has pleaded guilty to or been found guilty of a specified offence (or an attempt to commit such an offence) against or involving a child under the age of 16 before or by a court in the United Kingdom;
	was carrying out work to which section 142 of the 2002 Act applies before or at the time he committed or was convicted of the offence; and
	was aged 18 or over at the time the offence was committed;
	(ii) Secondly, if the person is permanently included in the Protection of Children Act List;
	(iii) Thirdly, if on or after 1 June 2003,
	(a) a person is made subject to a disqualification order (i.e. disqualified by the courts); and
	(b) was carrying out work to which section 142 of the 2002 Act applies before or at the time they committed or were convicted of the offence to which the disqualification order relates.
	A prcis of this information was included in the report of 19 January.
	The Department also administers the PoCA list. Following a valid referral the Department can only place an individual on the PoCA list (otherwise than provisionally) if the following criteria apply:
	(a) The Secretary of State is satisfied that the referring organisation reasonably considered the individual to have been guilty of misconduct which harmed a child or placed a child at risk of harm (whether or not in the course of his employment); and
	(b) The Secretary of State considers the individual to be unsuitable to work with children.
	In the 19 January and 1 March statements the Secretary of State referred to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill which was introduced before Parliament on 28 February. The key measures of the cross-Government Bill include
	introducing a new vetting and barring system bringing relevant information together in one place for the first time. This will integrate the current List 99 (for teachers), and the Protection of Children Act lists (for those working in child care settings) and also provide for a new list of people barred from working with vulnerable adults to replace the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list.
	making it possible for domestic employers such as parents to check whether private tutors, nannies, music teachers and care workers are barred.
	for the first time, enabling employers to make a 'real-time' instant check of whether a prospective employee is barred with secure online access rather than the current paper-based process.
	updating barring decisions as soon as any new information becomes available, and where possible, notifying relevant employers if an employee becomes barred.
	removing responsibility for barring decisions from Ministers entirely and transferring this to a new independent statutory board which will take decisions on whether to include someone on the barred list.
	In the meantime and also referred to in the statements, the Secretary of State has established a panel of independent experts, chaired by Sir Roger Singleton, to advise the Secretary of State in relation to the exercise of his decision-making powers.